Inspector “highly embarrassed” anti social behaviour issues by ‘minority of young people” not yet sorted

Wrexham’s Town Inspector Luke Hughes has detailed how he is ‘highly embarrassed’ that the ongoing issues of anti social behaviour around the bus station and other areas have not yet been cracked.

The details came as part of his usual in depth local policing update, with it noted ‘so much harm is caused by so few people’. Three people appear to have been subject to arrest following the dispersal order that was put in place last week.

More positively he highlighted Wrexham has the second largest decrease in crime in North Wales, ‘….and continue to detect more offences than any other area’.

The full update as usual is below…

Afternoon all and another beautiful day across the city….. oh wait.. hang on… no it rained all day!

Anyway, less meteorology and more crime busting…. I`ll cover the ASB first, of which Friday sadly saw quite a few issues… starting in the bus station and then this led to a few issues on Regent street and the general area through the evening, this resulted in a dispersal order being authorised by myself on Saturday night to prevent further problems and 14 people given notice to leave the area (they cant come back for 48hrs), since this time three people tested our resolve… and three people have been arrested… remember this is targeted and a dispersal order should never interfere with your normal lives should you be in the area with genuine intent.

I`ll level with you I’m highly embarrassed that we haven’t cracked this issue yet, but that’s not because we aren’t trying and credit to the officers from both your neighbourhood team and patrol officers, they are really working hard with numerous home visits and referrals being submitted. I confess I`m not so sure I’m getting buy in from all parents w have spoken to… but some certainly are taking notice. We are in this together and need to do all we can to fix it… and let me stress one more time.. this is a MINORITY of young people.. the MAJORITY are really decent and respectful, but like we see all too often and as I have said before… so much harm is caused by so few people… we need detergent and they need consequences…

Beyond this issue, crime wise life in Wrexham has been steady, we continue to have really low levels of burglary / theft (except retail crime) and long may it continue, it certainly shows that we have targeted the right people and that they are currently incarcerated preventing re-offending. Also locally we continue to have the second largest decrease in crime in North Wales and continue to detect more offences than any other area. Another reason why I’m so incensed by the ASB plague at present.

A few more incidents of note as below, I’ve got a little news to share with you at some point this week…. but I’ll keep you in suspense for a little longer regarding that… have a great afternoon / evening. Please take care and please… don’t let the ASB issues effect your feeling towards Wrexham, it genuinely is a great place with some fantastic people… but sadly a few fools too.

Friday night saw a male arrested at a property on Kingsmill Road for domestic related assault and possession of an imitation firearm. Local residents may have noticed some disruption whilst this matter was resolved, one male not local to Wrexham has been charged and remanded into custody in what was an isolated incident and their was no risk to others.

Also we became aware of a traveller encampment on the “spider park” this having the potential to impact on the community day planned for Sunday 13th. Officers along with locally elected councillors and the local authority visited the site and following continue efforts the “visitors” vacated on Saturday evening making their way to Dean Road where they remain, the community event being a success, thank you to all involved in organising it.

Also on Friday a male stole five packets of washing pods from a location on Mount Street, CCTV review pending, he won’t get a clean get away… (sorry that’s terrible)

A male was involved in an exposure offence at a Supermarket on Holt Road, also linked to a theft. A detailed description provided (of him!!) and enquiries on going…

Saturday saw a male arrested for breaching his Domestic Violence Protection Order, he was held in court over the weekend.

There was also an arrest at a city centre hotel when wedding guests began to fight, CCTV reviewed also pending on that one and may well result in further action being taken.

The same night a male was assaulted on Town Hill and another on Abbott Street, arrests resulting within a few minutes of the incidents. One male has been charged and has restrictions to prohibit his entry into the city centre until court the other is on bail pending further enquiries, we will absolutely not tolerate such behaviour.

Sunday a slightly calmer day but not without incident when a 14-year-old female decided to breach the dispersal notice she was given the night before and also verbally and physically assaulted members of the public in a large supermarket at around 16:30hrs, she too now on bail with condition to prevent her causing further issues….. 14… parents were in attendance in custody.

Of course we also dealt with dozens or concerns for safety events, missing persons etc. Never a dull day.

Take care and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.