‘People are afraid to go out due to lack of police presence’

A COUNCILLOR has said people were afraid to go out after a certain time in Rhondda Cynon Taf because of the lack of PCSOs.

Shelley Rees-Owen, Plaid Cymru, told RCT council’s finance and performance scrutiny committee that she was really worried about the lack of police presence in the county borough.

She raised the issue as the committee considered the council’s annual performance report on Monday, July 23.

She said that people of all ages were afraid of going out in the county borough due to issues such as anti-social behaviour and expressed concern that the lack of PCSOs and police officers in the community might put more onus on the council to do something about it.

“I know people who are are afraid to go out after 7pm or 7.30pm. PCSOs are non existent,” she said.

“People don’t feel safe. The lack of police presence might put more pressure on the council.

“I am worried whether cuts to the police are going to mean more work for the council in terms of keeping people safe. “This is really really worrying me.” Chair of the committee Councillor Michael Powell, Liberal Democrat, agreed with Cllr Rees-Owen and said he was the first councillor in Wales to make a member’s call for action on the issue.

Councillor Richard Yeo, Labour, also agreed and said he worried about perceptions.

He added: “If you’re not looking for it you won’t see it. If it does not affect you it does not mean it is not there.”

He said that PCSOs were “invisible” and said there were bound to be problems if they are not there.

He said: “Statistics are far more useful than perceptions.”