‘Designing out crime’ in town centre – benches and phone boxes removed

Benches known as a hot spot for anti social behaviour in Wrexham town centre have been removed, with problematic telephone boxes also taken out, and technical changes made to others.

Wrexham.com spoke to PC Dave Evans from the town centre policing team on the fresh tarmac while avoiding a downpour of rain on Wednesday afternoon. We asked PC Evans where the idea for the bench removal came from, and what else was being done nearby.

(Top pic – the current view – below is how it used to look until Wednesday)

PC Evans told us, “I think its partnership approach, we have a multi agency monthly meeting, where we discuss hotspots really, and this area here on a Egerton street is a hotspot. There have been complaints from local businesses, and we’ve already spoken to them about how they feel about the benches now being removed, and they’re so pleased about it.

“It is a partnership approach, it’s been discussed with ourselves, the community safety team, town centre management and so on, we feel at this stage it is an appropriate way to displace the problem from this area.

“From our point of view, it doesn’t solve any problem at all. Maybe it gives a little bit of respite in this area, but of course those individuals are still in and around, but for the people who have been complaining about it, they are over the moon

(A lorry load of old phone boxes from the town centre – removed earlier this year)

We also asked about phone boxes, with several disappearing in the town centre recently and some last year as well after action by MP Ian Lucas, and if other street furniture and works helps.

PC Evans said, “There is a lot of evidence to suggest that designing out crime works.

“A couple of things have happened with the phone boxes where incoming calls have been banned, caller ID is being banned and things like that. We are already seeing less activity from the other phone boxes in this area.

“Would we like to see them removed completely? If it was me? Probably yes. I accept that personally you still have some members of the public do want to use phone boxes.

“It is just one way to try and alleviate people’s fears and concerns. This spot is near the bus station, isn’t it? We have got people coming into town, who have to come through this area, and we all try to promote the town as a safe place to work and all the rest of it, so it all helps.”

Council Leader Mark Pritchard welcomed the move, “I think it’s well over due that the the street furniture has been moved. I’m glad the decision has been made to move them and I would like to thank all the elected members who have been involved in it to get it done. I think the businesses were right, they needed to be moved, it is not pleasant when you have to sit there with your family or enjoying some lunch and you have that kind of behaviour infront of you.”

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Highways said: “The anti social behaviour that was taking place in this particular area was unacceptable and businesses and members of the public were right to complain. As soon as we received the request to move items officers from Streetscene responded and removed the benches and bins. They will now be used in more appropriate areas of the town centre.”

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Partners, Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “I’m very grateful to Streetscene for reacting so quickly to this issue raised by businesses and visitors to the town centre. Police closely monitor the area with increased patrols and we will continue with successful outreach work to address the underlying issues. At the same time those dealing drugs wil be dealt with robustly. It’s vital we all continue to work together to respond to the issues in the town centre to ensure that Wrexham remains a safe place to be for everyone.”

Wrexham Council have not yet decided where the benches will be relocated.

Below pic, an old phone town centre phone box…