Dyfatty Clear Hold Build project launches to tackle Swansea hotspot for serious organised crime

A multi-agency programme to tackle long-standing issues linked to serious organised crime in an area of Swansea has now begun.

The Swansea Public Services Board has launched its flagship Dyfatty Clear Hold Build project, working under the title Building a Better Dyfatty. The launch event took place last week at Tramshed Tech in the former Palace Theatre on High Street; the building sits within the project area.

The approach builds on successful Clear Hold Build activity delivered elsewhere across the South Wales Police force area, including Merthyr Tydfil, Adamsdown, Roath and Butetown.

Clear Hold Build is a recognised approach to disrupting and reducing serious organised crime while supporting communities to reclaim public spaces, build resilience and create safer neighbourhoods over the long term. The programme follows the Home Office Clear Hold Build model and brings together coordinated enforcement activity, neighbourhood stabilisation and longer-term social, economic and community development.

The Clear phase is being led by South Wales Police and focuses on visible enforcement, disruption and safeguarding activity to remove the influence of serious organised crime from Dyfatty and surrounding areas. This phase is expected to last around 12 months.

The Hold phase will be led by Swansea Council, working with all Public Services Board partners. It is expected to begin alongside the Clear phase and run broadly between six and 18 months, focusing on maintaining security gains, preventing criminal re‑infiltration and strengthening community confidence through a sustained partnership presence.

The Build phase will begin during the Hold phase and continue over the longer term. It will focus on investment in Dyfatty to address underlying vulnerabilities, support economic growth and help create resilient communities.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones said:

“The Dyfatty area, including High Street North and the nearby high‑rise residential blocks, has experienced long‑standing issues linked to anti‑social behaviour and serious organised crime.

"This first phase focuses on removing that criminal influence, protecting vulnerable people, and stabilising the neighbourhood. It relies on coordinated, highly visible and persistent multi‑agency action. This work is long overdue for the people who live in Dyfatty. The vast majority have no connection to serious organised crime but live with its impact every day.

"This programme is about delivering real change and helping make Dyfatty a place people can be proud of.”

Council Leader Rob Stewart said:

“We are fully committed to working alongside residents, listening to their concerns, and supporting them to shape the future of their community. In parallel, the council has secured significant UK Government investment through the Pride in Place programme, which will bring up to £20 million over the next decade to help transform this part of the city.

"The Building a Better Dyfatty programme will help stabilise and clean up the area, while Pride in Place will support longer‑term regeneration. The two programmes are designed to complement each other”.

Other members of the Swansea Public Services Board include Swansea Bay University Health Board, Natural Resources Wales and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Chair of the Public Services Board and council joint deputy leader Andrea Harrington said:

“Dyfatty is made up of diverse communities, each facing different challenges. This is the PSB’s flagship project. All partners are focused on understanding what matters to local people and working with residents, businesses and community groups to deliver positive change for the area and for the people who live there.”