Rangers remain on patrol to Keep city’s staff and visitors safe
SWANSEA’S city centre rangers will be on duty throughout the Welsh Government’s firebreak lockdown to support businesses and shoppers.
Non-essential shops will be closed from 6pm today until 9am on November 9.
The rangers, who are part-funded by Swansea BID, will be on hand throughout the period to provide support to visitors and businesses alike so those who need to shop in the city centre can do so safely.
Senior Ranger Damien Edgell said: “The rangers team will be continuing to provide a safe, high-visibility support service to essential businesses in the city centre during the firebreak.
“The advice from Welsh Government is that people should shop as locally to their homes as possible and we’d urge people to travel to the city centre only if it’s essential to do so.
“We’ll be providing support to visitors through targeted foot patrols to ensure people who have to visit the city centre for vital services do so safely by maintaining the twometre rule and continuing to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces like shops.
“We’ll also be on hand, as usual, to identify litter and fly-tipping problems as well as being able to direct people to services like council public toilets which will remain open during the firebreak.”
Robert Francis-davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “It will be good to have the rangers on fulltime patrol; they’re a reassuring presence on our streets.
“I know that businesses still operating and residents visiting the city centre for shopping, exercise and work have appreci
ated having them here to help out and offer directions and support.”
BID chief executive Russell Greenslade said: “Having worked closely with the rangers team during the previous lockdown I know our BID area businesses appreciate the work they have been doing over the last six months, to keep an eye on the security of the city centre.
“It remains important that we are all vigilant about social distancing during the firebreak and that shoppers, staff and city centre visitors remain safe.
“While essential city centre shops like pharmacies and food businesses are allowed to stay open, I know that those who are having to close will give shoppers a very warm welcome when they reopen on November 9.”
Between them, the rangers work seven days a week including bank holidays and cover the core hours of 9-5pm.
They patrol a zone extending from West Way and Dillwyn Street in the west over to High Street and Mansel Street in the north.
Additional areas include Parc Tawe and the Quadrant shopping centres, the Maritime Quarter and Wind Street and east to the River Tawe.
Their duties include reporting and dealing with issues such as broken paving, street furniture, discarded rubbish, vandalism and graffiti. They help with customer queries, helping facilitate and manage events and work with businesses and police to help reduce antisocial behaviour.