WHAT THE POLICE SAY ....

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 work in the estate to build confidence and trust.

“It is disappointing to hear that there is the perception that there is a lack of police presence because the estate is regularly patrolled,” she said.

“We have PACT meetings where residents can tell us their concerns. We also try to attend community groups. We try to make ourselves visible and encourage reporting.”

The inspector said it was important they give residents the confidence that, if they report something, they will listen and take action and cites an incident in December that resulted in a drugs warrant being executed and two people arrested. A large quantity of cannabis and cash were seized.

South Wales Police has a dedicated beat manager and PCSOs for Wildmill, whose job is to go into the community and engage with as many groups as possible to encourage reporting.

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.”