South Wales Police

The latest crime figures released today (April 19th) show the streets of South Wales are still getting safer with a 6,6% drop in crime across the region in 2011.

The figures, released by the Home Office (for the 12 month period to December 2011) reveal that overall, crime in the South Wales Police area has fallen by 6.6%.

This is equivalent to 6,354 fewer victims of crime or more than 17 fewer victims every day, marking South Wales Police as having the fifth biggest reduction in crime overall of the 43 forces in England and Wales.

Criminal damage has dropped significantly by 15.9% - the highest reduction in England and Wales.

The number of homes burgled reduced by 6.6% and robberies fell by 11.6%.

Assistant Chief Constable Julian Kirby said: “The reality of these figures is that fewer people are becoming victims of crime.

“6,354 fewer people became a victim of crime over the period and I commend our staff who have worked hard to deliver this fantastic performance.

“This has been another challenging year for the organisation due to the budget cuts, but we have never been more focused on the job in hand. We are changing the organisation for the better to ensure we work smarter and faster, there when the public needs us and arresting criminals to go before the courts.

“This includes making changes to our staff structures so officers are in the best place to deal with incidents and investigate them. Today’s figures also show more crimes are being solved.

“We will not stop targeting people who drive up crime by repeatedly committing offences and behaving anti-socially. They should know that we will not leave them alone and there is always a space in our cells for them, but we are working with our partners and the probation service to help them find another path away from crime.

“We will carry on trying to prevent incidents before they happen through education and raising awareness, but we can’t do it alone.

“We hope the public will continue to support us by calling 101 to pass on information they have about crime, suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour in their area.”

Additional Information:

Recorded crime down 6.6% (5th biggest reduction)

Latest figures reveal there were 6,354 fewer victims of crime

Robbery down 11.6% (11th biggest reduction)

Dwelling burglaries down 6.6% (18th biggest reduction)

Vehicle crime down 14.2% (6th biggest reduction)

Criminal damage down 15.9% (*Highest reduction in the country)

Assault with injury down 11.2% (11th biggest reduction)

Sanction detection rate up by 0.8%, from 31.4% to 33.1%

South Wales Police and Gwent Police have come together to produce the Joint Scientific Investigation Unit, which will save millions of pounds in public money and provide a better service to victims of crime.

As a single Centre of Excellence working towards ISO accreditation, the new Unit, consisting of staff from both forces will be located in Bridgend at the South Wales Police Headquarters site and also at Rumney Police Station in Cardiff.

South Wales Police has been gearing up to welcome the Olympic Torch to Wales on 25th May 2012, carried out an Olympic Torch Relay Exercise on Monday March 26th 2012.

The Olympic Torch will travel the length and breadth of Wales, passing through the four Welsh Police Forces in May. It enters Monmouth on May 25th and leaves Wales on May 30th when it passes into England, heading for Chester. During its entire Welsh journey ACC Kirby will operate as Regional gold working in partnership with the four Welsh regional forces.

Command of the Torch Relay will be conducted at a number of regional coordination centres. On its journey the Olympic Torch will be accompanied by a Metropolitan Police Team.

As part of the preparation for the Torch’s arrival a test exercise was carried out today which began with practice ‘dry-runs’ at RAF St Athan in the early morning and then involved a convoy of vehicles travelling on public roads between 11.30am and 2pm.

The convoy consisted of 22 vehicles and 12 police motorcyclists moving from Treorchy in Rhondda Cynon Taff, over the Bwlch Mountain into Nantymoel and into Bridgend, ending in Laleston. This is part of the actual route that the torch will travel on Saturday 26th May 2012. The motorcycle team comprised officers from all of the four Welsh forces. These will be the same officers who will travel with the torch through Wales and was the first time that they have all worked together.

The convoy, for the purpose of the exercise, was made up a combination of vehicles from partner agencies to provide commanders with a true reflection of the convoy size that will move through public streets. In addition the force helicopter was deployed to provide “Live Feed “images of the convoy to the Command Centre while the exercise was taking place (weather permitting).

The purpose of the exercise was to test South Wales Police’s communications and planning en route in an area that will actually welcome the Torch in May.

Torch commander Supt Steve Furnham said: “We are committed to delivering a safe and secure Olympic Torch Relay, working with all our partners to ensure a fantastic event ahead of the main Games.

“The Olympic Torch Relay will be a celebration of sport, culture and local heroes and for our local communities, and every Torchbearer, the Relay represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it is our job to ensure they enjoy their moment in safety.

“There is the expectation that thousands of people will turn out to see the Torch as it passes through their local area. In the South Wales Police area alone it will visit almost all of our major towns and cities.

Thursday 8th March 2012

“It’s more than metal, so don’t cop out” is the important message from the Welsh Police Forces as they launch an all Wales metal theft campaign today.

The campaign aims to encourage the public to report information to the police concerning metal theft if they see something unusual in their community.

This could be anything from unknown vans parked up in the area, to the arrival of unexpected workmen.

Over recent years, the price of metal has risen considerably driven by global economies and increased demand. Metal theft is now estimated to cost the UK economy around £770m every year.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Jukes, the ACPO Cymru lead for tackling metal theft said:

“Metal theft is about more than metal. Even the smallest amount of stolen cables or wiring can cause a great deal of inconvenience and distress to local people.

"These types of crimes are committed mostly in full view of the public, however, most of us presume that if we see people in work-type clothing or yellow jackets working on power cables or on roofs, then they must have someone's permission.

"But I encourage everyone to question what they see. If the vans, the uniforms, the time of day or the behaviour doesn't seem right to you, then contact police.”

Victims of these crimes are working with police in the campaign to encourage the public to report anything suspicious.

Father Ben Andrews, the vicar of St Paul’s Church in Grangetown, Cardiff; Mr Humphrey Evans, the Chairman of Aberdare Rugby and Football Club, and Mr Keith Miles, a member of the Newbridge Royal British Legion, will feature on posters across communities in Wales reinforcing the message.
They also feature in a campaign video, telling their experiences of the crime and the disruption it caused for them.

Victim’s stories:

Father Ben Andrews’ story:

Wednesday 7th March 2012

South Wales Police are today issuing an appeal to those who feel they have ‘what it takes’ to become a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) to apply online at for one of over 200 posts, funded by Welsh Assembly Government.

Police Community Support Officers play a vital role within our communities, and spend most of their time on patrol, providing a reassuring, anti crime presence and assisting the force in keeping south Wales safe.

At the launch of the recruitment process Assistant Chief Constable Julian Kirby said:

“At a time of economic challenge this really is good news, not only for the force, but for our communities.

“The public want a visible and accessible presence from its police service, and the appointment of these additional officers will assist considerably with this. It will also help to further instil a sense of confidence and safety within our communities.  

“These additional 206 PCSO posts will be a welcomed addition to the frontline. They will be an integral part their local policing teams, dealing with the issues that concern the community locally.”

The successful recruits can expect to earn between £18,471 - £20,484 per annum. To find out more about the role of a PCSO and how to apply please visit our recruitment pages.

South Wales Police is launching a Twitter campaign today to raise awareness of Identification Parades being digital and more victim-friendly than ever before.

Unbeknown to the majority of the public, police ID Parades are no longer done in the traditional way. They are now conducted on a laptop computer in the comfort of the victim or witness’ home. The victim simply clicks through photos of potential suspects and picks out the person they believe to have committed the crime.

Dave Smith, Identification Manager in the South Wales Police Criminal Justice Department said,

“National and local research shows that victims and witnesses are reluctant to attend a police station to pick out a person at an ID Parade because they have been intimidated or they are scared of repercussions.

“This is especially the case when the victim has been personally attacked as they understandably don’t want to face up to their attacker, and even the thought of being in the same building can be extremely frightening for them.

“The Laptop ID Parade is much better because it is mobile and fast. It can be done anywhere at any time – at the home, workplace or a public location, allowing the victim to feel safe and secure. Victims and witnesses can also be reassured that we will still protect them whether or not they are able to make a positive identification.”

The digital version is 60% more effective than the old method. Each parade is built independently using a national database of 25,000 faces and the computer software randomly chooses how the faces are lined up.

To date, South Wales Police officers have taken the Laptop ID Parade to a café in a local supermarket, a local leisure centre and to Scotland after a rugby international match in Cardiff when the witness to an incident lived in Edinburgh. Its next journey is to Madrid, as South Wales Police officers are investigating an incident where four people were victims of a robbery in South Wales whilst on holiday here.

Identification Manager Dave Smith added,

“Front-line police officers no longer have to release a suspect on bail because they have to wait weeks for a traditional ID Parade to be organised. Instead, a Laptop ID Parade can be built in 30 minutes, conducted with the witness, and where a positive identification is made, the suspect can be charged the same day. The Laptop ID Parade prevents the possibility of the suspect committing more crime whilst on bail in the community.”

To raise awareness, South Wales Police will be tweeting catchy and quirky tweets and twitpics to its 9000 Twitter followers over the next fortnight. A short doodle film can also be viewed on the South Wales Police TV Channel on You Tube where the laptop line-up can be seen through the eyes of a doodle artist at: http://goo.gl/AgRtY . To follow the campaign, go to @swpolice or www.facebook.com/swpolice .

Today South Wales Police is launching its Accessibility strategy to outline plans for keeping in touch with and serving the needs of the communities of South Wales in 2012 and beyond.

The strategy is being launched on our website at www.south-wales.police.uk.  This begins a process of consultation during which members of the public will have the opportunity to give us their feedback by clicking the link for the email address:   accessibility@south-wales.pnn.police.uk

You will be aware from previous announcements that we are fundamentally reviewing our service, refocusing our efforts on the front line in order to put our communities at the heart of what we do. However further change is necessary to ensure we can continue to deliver a 21st century police station despite the challenges that we face.   

The Accessibility Strategy is being developed to make sure everyone in South Wales gets the service they need and deserve and to ensure that South Wales Police is the best at understanding and responding to the needs of the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

This strategy includes proposals for a review of provision at all police stations which will soon be made available to the public on the South Wales Police website.   

Outside London the Force has the largest number of police buildings in Wales and England. Many of these are in a poor condition and in the wrong location for the needs of the public. 

How will we improve accessibility in 2012?   

We are committed to helping customers contact us via :

•        Phone.

•        One to one police officer or PCSO contact.

•        In person at police stations across the force.

•        At mobile community access points – travelling around the area, providing access on the doorstep of customers.

•        Improved web access

•        Developing our social networking sites.

•        Letter  

What difference will the public see and how will they benefit?   

Public Service Centre

Our Public Service Centre, launching in Spring 2012, will serve as a ‘one stop shop’ for customers who contact us by phone. Research shows that this is now by far the most popular way to get in touch with us.   

At the PSC staff will try to assist in the resolution of a caller’s problem on the spot. If this is not possible they will have the ability to deploy a police officer immediately, schedule an appointment for a convenient time, or refer it to an officer or member of staff with specific skills in that area, domestic violence or hate crime for instance.

We have invested in new technology that allows the Public Service Centre to track the location of our officers and vehicles and ensure that our service is delivered on time, by the right person with the appropriate skills.   

Front Counter Services at Police Stations

We are committed to providing members of the public with opportunities to talk to officers and staff face to face, providing a safe, private, and pleasant environment to discuss personal or sensitive matters. We have recognised that the number of customers visiting some of our community police stations and front desks is now extremely low.   

As part of our Accessibility Strategy we have looked at how many people use police stations and based on demand we propose enhancing our front counter services at eight key and busy locations across the force. Namely:

Bridgend

Barry

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Central

Merthyr

Pontypridd

Neath

Swansea Central  

These stations will operate 16 or 24 hour walk-in-service to the public staffed by a station enquiry clerk.  Of course by prior appointment we can see you either at other police stations or via a mobile access point.  

We will also seek to make our service generally more accessible, and hope to achieve this through a combination of fit for purpose buildings and an array of effective alternative methods of accessing our services.

However these proposals also suggest reducing the number of station enquiry posts at stations across the force area in 2012. We will try to redeploy or ensure voluntary redundancy for these staff.   

Mobile Community Access Points   

We will also be launching purpose-built vehicles to allow people to sit down and discuss with us their concerns. They will travel though communities on a regular basis and will be a visible presence in towns and villages. In this way we will continue to offer face-to-face contact to members of the community.

These will provide a range of services to communities working with local community teams and Community Safety Partnerships. The facilities on offer could include web access to our services, advice surgeries, recruitment and other services requested by communities. They will have published times and dates at specific locations so that we continue to offer the option of a face to face, flexible service to the community, managed centrally with dedicated staff.    

They will also provide an opportunity for less mobile residents to meet an officer, discuss concerns and pass on and receive information of interest.   

PCSOs

We will soon be recruiting over 200 PCSOs who play a valuable and vital role and face-to-face contact in our communities, and will be in addition to the PCSOs you already have in your community.  

Web Access and e-services

We have established a specialist ‘E-services Team’ to develop service delivery through technology. Four key areas are being developed:  

•        A new website providing a route map to services and improved access to information.

•        On line crime reporting – the opportunity to report non- emergencies on line.

•        On line crime tracking – this will enable members of the public to keep track of the progress of an investigation online using a unique crime number to log in.

•        On line recruitment – a facility to enable the public to apply for police, PCSO and police staff vacancies on-line.

Speaking about the Accessibility Strategy, DCC Colette Paul said:

“Our Accessibility Strategy aims to make it easier and more convenient for all members of the public to get in touch with us when, where and how they choose and to make sure we give everyone in our policing area the service they need and deserve.  

“For the future we want to ensure that we are the best at understanding and responding to our communities’ needs 24 hours, seven days a week.

“Times are changing and so are communities and the way we police them. Fewer people now pop into a police station to speak to an officer in person. The telephone, especially mobile phone, the internet and email, are becoming increasingly important ways to get in touch. We need to adapt accordingly.   

“But we are also committed to continuing to provide face-to-face contact where it is needed most.

“We know some communities may be concerned about the idea of some front counter services being withdrawn from police stations but we would like to stress that the stations will still be in use by police officers, PCSOs and community teams.  

“Traditionally front counter facilities across the force area have been based in the majority of stations in our towns and villages but the Force has a very large estate, much of it in a bad state of repair and no longer fit for modern policing.   

“Other stations have front desk functions even though, in reality, demand has declined. Research has shown that visitors and callers to some of our stations are minimal and, as such, maintaining front counter staff does not provide value for money or the best possible service to the community.

“We want officers out and about doing their jobs where they are most needed.  

“We know from our research and public feedback that the telephone is by far the most popular way for people to get in touch with us now.

“The opening of our Public Service Centre Project in April is vital to dealing with these calls, giving people the service they need when they need it. It will be a ‘one stop shop’ where staff and officers can take both emergency and non-emergency calls and try to deal with and solve a caller’s problem right away.

“This is a time of change and retaining public confidence and responding to the needs of our communities are our top priorities. That is why we are changing the way we work, to make ourselves more accessible to the public. Key to this will be to continue to develop other methods of engagement at public buildings, shopping areas, and formalising them as community access points.  

“We will also be launching purpose built vehicles to allow people to sit down and discuss with us their concerns. They will travel though communities on a regular basis and will be a visible presence in towns and villages. In this way we will continue to offer face-to-face contact to members of the community.

“In development are new online facilities such as a new and improved website, providing better access to information. When our on-line crime reporting facility is ready, people will be able to report non-emergencies and incidents on-line instead of by phone, keeping track of what is happening with the investigation using a unique crime number to log in.

“By adapting in these ways we will make sure we have a modern service for a modern South Wales.”

Your opinions are very important to us, you can view and comment on our Accessibility Strategy at www.south-wales.police.uk.  Alternatively please email us directly at accessibility@south-wales.pnn.police.uk 

The South and East Wales Air Support Unit is inviting the public to join them in their first ever live Twitter conversation!

With nearly 8000 followers, @helicops is soaring into new territory with the social networking site, Twitter, after a mass call from fans to have a live conversation.

On Monday night (27 February), at 6.30pm, fans and other Twitter users will be able to ask the police helicopter unit any question they like about their activities to fight crime from the sky.

Inspector Gary Smart of the South and East Wales Air Support Unit said,

“We’re looking forward to the hour-long live conversation with our Twitter followers. They’ve been asking for this for sometime now and we can’t think of a better way to engage with the public.”

The helicopter unit can answer questions on technical specifications of the aircraft, how high it flies, how fast it goes, the type of tasks they do, the equipment they use and the history of the unit.

Police in Swansea are re-appealing for information following an indecent exposure that occurred at 10.10am on Tuesday 10th January.

The 28 year old female victim was standing at the bus stop on Carmarthen Road, Cwmbwrla, opposite Boots when the suspect approached her and indecently exposed himself.

The suspect is described as male, white, 25 to 35 years of age, 6’ tall, stocky build, had dark brown cropped hair, and wearing a green hoody and jeans.

Officers have released a CCTV video footage of the suspect.

Police are also investigating other similar incidents in the area.

Detective Inspector Darren George of Swansea Central CID said: "The identity of the male depicted in the footage is sought in respect of an of incident in the Cwmbwrla area of Carmarthen Road, Swansea, where heapproached the female and has exposed himself."

D I George added: "Extensive enquiries are on going in respect of other incidents by officers, we are appealing to the public for information to help us identify this male.

"I would urge anyone knows the identify of this male to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact Swansea Central CID on 01792 450618 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot have made 31 arrests and recovered drugs with a street value of more than £43,000 during a day-long operation.

The operation was the latest to be held by police following the launch of the Heroin Ruins Live campaign in October aimed at encouraging members of the public to come forward with information on those who deal and supply drugs.

It saw officers execute search warrants at numerous addresses across the western area of the force, as well as carry out patrols in known hotspot areas.

Over 5,000 leaflets were delivered to residents to inform them of the police activity in their area and to appeal for them to provide information to the police.

Drug support workers worked alongside officers to promote rehabilitation services, while council street cleaners worked to clear up discarded needles.

Among the 31 arrests, 19 were for possession with intent to supply drugs.

The value of the drugs seized was £43,370 and includes heroin, cannabis and amphetamine. A cannabis factory was also discovered at New Road in Skewen which had 65 mature plants. Three vehicles were also seized from suspected criminals.

Around £2,400 in cash was also recovered and police will instigate Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings to seize the assets of those involved in drugs supply.

Detective Inspector Jason Davies, who led the operation, said: “This operation has seen us build on the success we have already had as a result of the Heroin Ruins Lives campaign.

“It was the latest in a number of many planned events to target those who are clearly impacting on their neighbours and local communities as a result of drug supply.

“I would like to thank those who have already provided us with information and ask that they continue to do so and maintain the momentum of the positive outcomes to date.

“The police activity right across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot has sent out a clear message to those who supply drugs that there is no hiding place, we will seek you out and bring you to justice.”

Anyone with information can contact the police on 01792 450631 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.