A pledge to put more bobbies on the beat will help reassure elderly and vulnerable people in North Wales, says a leading Senedd member.<\/p>\n
The promise to increase the number of police officers and staff is contained in the new policing blueprint drafted by the region\u2019s Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin.<\/p>\n
Strengthening neighbourhood policing was a key priority in Mr Dunbobbin\u2019s manifesto when he was elected in May this year.<\/p>\n
The news was welcomed by Clwyd South MS Ken Skates during a walkabout in Llangollen with Mr Dunbobbin.<\/p>\n
Mr Skates said: \u201cEverybody in the Labour Party across North Wales and indeed farther afield across Wales cheered when the result came in\u00a0 for Andy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy is universally popular within the party so everybody was absolutely thrilled by his success.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is sincere, authentic and passionate about communities. He\u2019ll bring immense experience and great skills to the role and he\u2019s so deeply rooted in the community as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy\u2019s passionate about North Wales and about people\u2019s security, safety and sense of belonging so I\u00a0 have no doubt he\u2019s going to be a brilliant commissioner.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis first Police and Crime Plan is hugely ambitious but it responds to and addresses the key concerns that residents across North Wales have \u2013 and that we need a really strong plan for neighbourhood policing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that often people look back nostalgically to when we had police stations right across our communities and what people in the modern era want is a police presence on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s precisely what Andy is promising with an increase in visible policing which is so important, especially for vulnerable people and the elderly. I think this is something that people will respond to really well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Welsh Government is also playing its part by funding an extra 100 PCSOs across Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a key pledge for Welsh Labour at the election and I am delighted that North Wales is getting 20 additional people keeping people and our communities safe and again it responds to key concerns that people have expressed. It\u2019s massively important to people\u2019s wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe values that a leader has are shown through the policies they promote and Andy\u2019s plan promotes community cohesion, safety, security and wellbeing, particularly for the most vulnerable people in society.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an example, the establishment of a Victims\u2019 Panel will be hugely beneficial\u00a0 in addressing the concerns of victims and their concerns moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Mr Dunbobbin, he was pleased to join the MS for a tour of Llangollen particularly as Mr Skates was so passionate about the community he served.<\/p>\n
Mr Dunbobbin said: \u201cI share that passion because our communities are at the heart of everything we do and policing has a massive role to play across North Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important to have a good understanding of our communities and how we can support each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach community has its own challenges but it\u2019s about working together to make things better in a spirit of partnership.<\/p>\n
\u201cI put a huge amount of time and effort into writing my Police and Crime Plan because I wanted to make sure I encompassed everything that was really important to the people of North Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the election campaign it was clear that the number one priority for communities is to improve visible so neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of my Police and Crime Plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cLocal Neighbourhood Policing Teams\u00a0 provide the visibility and reassurance but are also widely regarded as being an invaluable source of intelligence to tackle the most serious and organised criminality.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn order to tackle issues ranging from drug dealing in our towns to rural crime on our farms, it\u2019s imperative that all our North Wales communities have positive relationships and experiences with their local police, helping break down existing barriers and empowering residents to have their say on where we as a service should be focusing our efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n