Not all doom and gloom for town centre
WHEN armed police swoop, it is natural to be concerned.
Dressed in black, wearing helmets and body armour, wielding guns, and looking like something more suited to the big screen, it’s a sight not easily forgotten. Just ask witnesses to an alleged assault in Neath town centre last month.
Police were joined by emergency service colleagues following an incident on Windsor Road, which left two people with serious wounds to their faces following an alleged street brawl which led to the arrests of four people and two people being taken to hospital.
Thankfully, it is not a frequent occurrence. But since then, South Wales Police have increased patrols in the area in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour. It’s an issue some claim blights the town centre, though crime stats show no appreciable difference in incidents over the past few years.
But try telling that to some traders.
Paul Hanson, of The Practical Tailor on Windsor Road, said: “I have been here since 1987 and the street has deteriorated over the last 10 years. The main issues are drug and alcohol use. I have seen heroin deals going on, but we move in different worlds – they are in their world and I am in mine.
“I think the issue is there are a number of flats of multiple use which have a high turnover of people who are misusing drugs and alcohol. You see lots of people who obviously are suffering from substance abuse hanging around in gangs and shouting.
“They go back and forth and they might be squabbling, but you just have to look at their faces and feel a bit sorry for them.”
Vijay Kajen, of Nila’s Local, added: “The issue is
[addicts] and homeless. They are out and about every day. We have to be aware of them shoplifting. They think it’s easy, and go around pinching stuff.
“People are hanging around all the time. You see them with their beer. It was not like this before lockdown. The problem is some of the accommodation in the middle of the town and the type of people who live there.”
And Timothy Davies, of Bargain Booze, said: “It is as bad as ever here. I had trouble with some [people] today. If they come in and you are not on the ball they’ll be shoplifting. You can’t turn your back because they’ll take any opportunity”.
There have been other high-profile incidents in the town centre. Earlier this year a woman received a suspended sentence after racially abusing the owner of a café who had banned her. Last year, stalls in the town’s market were trashed and burgled overnight.
And two years ago, a woman was left with a fracture to her eye socket following a fight when people tried to jump a queue for a taxi.
But there is reason for optimism too.
Last year, work began on a multi-million-pound development of the town centre, which will see a brand new leisure centre with a swimming pool, gym, health suite and café, along with a modern library and new retail zone built off Water Street.
Neath North councillor Alan Lockyer said: “The incident the other day was an exceptional case, and the individuals were not even from Neath, but had come in from Port Talbot. It’s an issue for every town.
“But I think we are on top of the problems; police are stepping up patrols. It is not unsafe, but I would implore people to report any incidents they witness to 101.
“We have become a bit reliant on social media these days, and people often post things on Facebook before reporting it to police, and that is the wrong way round. Things aren’t out of hand.
“We have a good safety partnership which is working well to tackle anti-social behaviour. But with the evenings getting longer, combined with the easing of lockdown, we have to remain vigilant.”
And Neath MS Jeremy Miles said: “Constituents have raised a number of concerns with me in relation to the town centre.
“I have been informed that there have been a number of arrests in recent weeks for antisocial and drug-related offences and there will now be an increase in the police presence and visibility in the town centre.
“There hasn’t been any significant change in the levels of crime being reported. But it is important for anyone who sees a crime to report it directly to the police.”
Next week, a specially convened meeting of the Community Safety Partnership will address antisocial behaviour in the town, and will include licensing officers, Housing Options, the Business Crime Reduction Partnership, substance misuse services, police, local councillors, Neath Town Council and others.
A Neath Port Talbot spokesman said: “We need residents to work with us and report what they see, rather than just taking to social media.”
In the meantime, police have already launched Operation Lileum, which will see increased police activity and patrols in the town centre.
Along with the extra high visibility patrols, dispersal powers may be used which give officers powers to disperse people who are causing significant and persistent antisocial behaviour.
The police can be contacted by calling 101, or emailing Publicservicecentre@south-wales. police.uk