But some do not care...’News What police and council say
said around a decade ago, when the housing association started refurbishing properties, the apathy “that was permeating right through this community” started to disappear, with people taking more interest in their homes.
New windows and bathrooms were fitted and houses were painted up. At one time young mums also staged a sit-in in the play park, taking shifts to guard the play equipment from the drug users vandalising it.
“They were proud of where they lived. For the first time people were saying ‘there’s nothing wrong with Wildmill,’ said Mr Marsh.
Speaking today, he does say there has been a “slight change” and drugs are not as prevalent as they had been been.
He says: “Instead of complaining about issues we have to get out and do something about it. We are definitely doing our best but the powers that be could do a lot more.”
While some houses in the estate look like they have recently been done up, or are in the middle of having work done to them, other buildings look neglected, with flaky paint, as does the playground.
One young person who certainly isn’t apathetic is 25-year-old Daniel Jones, one of those residents who still believes in what was hoped to be one of the key values of the estate when it was built: community.
Mr Jones has done a lot of work in the community he has lived in for 10 years, planting flower beds by the shopping centre and doing work in the adventure park, where he has found needles (more than 20 in one day on one occasion). His two sisters moved out of the area because of how bad it is.
“I would worry about bringing kids up here and, if I could, I would move,” the scaffolder – who moved to Wildmill to be closer to his father – said.
“There isn’t anything to do here – I think there should be more volunteering and community stuff. The youth centre is only open twice a week.”
And then the litter gets mentioned again: “The rubbish around here has been terrible. I take pride in where I live but now you see people that do not care about the community.
“They are abusing the community, especially near the shops, drinking and shouting.
“It could be so good – I love it down here.”
■ Go to walesonline.co.uk for the full version of this article LOCAL Policing Inspector Melanie Knight said drug-related activity is no more prevalent there than in any other communities. She said anti-social behaviour among young people is a significant problem, however, as it is in many estates.
She said that their neighbourhood policing team continued to do a lot to build confidence and trust.
“It is disappointing to hear that there is the perception that there is a lack of presence because the estate is regularly patrolled,” she said.
“We have PACT meetings, and also try to attend community groups. We try to make ourselves visible and encourage reporting.”
South Wales Police has a dedicated beat manager and PCSOs for Wildmill.
Det Insp Dean Taylor, who is responsible for organised crime and intelligence in Bridgend, said there were covert officers operating in Wildmill.
He said: “We are carrying out proactive work in that area. We had Operation Avalanche to tackle drug supply in Bridgend and, as a result of it, there were 44 arrests for drug-related activities. Some of these were in the Wildmill area.
“We do not want drugs in this area – we want to make sure Bridgend is a safe place and continues to be the safe place it is.” ■■Councillor Hywel Williams, deputy leader, said: “Since we introduced new recycling arrangements our recycling rate has risen to become the second best in Wales.
“In Wildmill, the majority of people want to recycle and are doing the right thing for their community. However, a small minority are spoiling it for others.
“We recently installed extra bins and moved some of the communal collection points. We are working hard to improve the situation. We are doing everything we can to raise awareness of how easy it is to recycle. With weekly recycling collections, fortnightly refuse collections, bulky waste collections and recycling centres, there is no excuse for anyone to fly-tip.