“Prompt charge and conviction rate” due to body worn cameras says Inspector after two officers assaulted on Pen y Bryn

Wrexham’s Inspector is back in town, and has detailed a 24 hour snapshot of the city.

The new update is from Luke Hughes, the District Inspector for Wrexham City, who is back with the run down of the wide range of policing work that takes place locally.

The full update, as usual is below…

Good afternoon all and I’m back…. Now I’m not sure if you will think that’s a good thing or a bad… but I’m pleased to be here writing this after a few weeks away from the office (my choice, don’t worry I wasn’t on the naughty step) it was a long overdue break and I’m now fighting fit and ready for the summer challenges.

 

I`m really grateful for Rob and the team for getting on with business without me, but it certainly calls into question if I actually contribute anything worthwhile… (I think I do… I certainly hope I do) but I do get some reassurance that we have established a standard and have processes that are resilient enough to maintain performance in my absence. Thank you Rob & all I really appreciate it.

 

I won’t repeat some of the result for the last few weeks, but like you I have read the daily updates with a smile seeing the community baddies brought to justice (a lot of which was a direct result of your help – one team), although I was less then impressed with the proposed changes to my office, thankfully the decorators hadn’t been in and as per the attached, when I arrived bright and early all was well.

So, business as usual, a weekend review and then your normal updates will follow through the week. It`s good to be back.

 

Saturday saw the recall to prison of quite an unpleasant chap and not someone we wanted on the street of our glorious City Town so it was nice that he was arrested within minutes of the recall being issued, we also arrested a male for a number of thefts and a breach of CBO (Criminal Behaviour Order) its like a badge of honour for idiots and gives us far better outcomes in court. Remember the old ASBO`s? it replaced them a few years ago.

 

We also had another CBO holder arrested over the weekend – a familiar name locally – Mr Richard Borrelli was seen entering a parked vehicle which certainly wasn’t his, he was arrested and duly charged with vehicle interference, theft, drug possession and breach of CBO – off to court this morning – good riddance.

 

Saturday was a beautiful day in terms of the weather and saw a great turn out at the Rhosddu community event, the officers present showing local children and the occasional interested adult around one of our vehicles, sadly not one with a cell of which the kids love to lock their parents in, but it was still great local engagement. Thank you to PCSO`s Jon Massey & Hilary Owen for their help and well done Jon, second place in the fitness challenge and whilst wearing body armour in 30 degree heat was commendable.

Sadly late Saturday night two officers were assaulted whilst dealing with a drunken buffoon on Pen y Bryn, no injuries thankfully and a male has been charged and will appear in court this morning. (thank you to the door staff that assisted)  sadly assault remain a constant theme on officers, but the introduction of body worn video and the comprehensive CCTV we have in the city has resulted in a much prompter charge / conviction rate, so those responsible are being rightly held to account.

 

What is also interesting is the amount of people who are horrified seeing their own behaviour on video when interviewed… and rather unsurprisingly many are directly attributed to too much alcohol…. I wish people would know their limits. Maybe we should introduce a legal limit to walk in public… much like the drink drive limit!!! The cells would be full in no time.!! But on a serious note, we do frequently put conditions in place to prevent intoxication in a public place if its been a contributing factor for previous poor behaviour and the court are now issuing “alcohol tags” with great success.

 

Shoplifting in my absence has been steady, but again a quick conversation rate from offence to arrest – I saw no names that I wasn’t entirely familiar with whist I’ve been away, reinforcing my mantra of so much crime committed by so few…. I know it will provoke a response and I make no apology; some people are beyond rehabilitation and prison has to be the only option and the longer the better….

 

I`ll end on a quick warning, I noted a vehicle had been targeted on Westminster drive Saturday into Sunday morning, a handbag taken and window damaged, often we will have a little spree of such crimes so please take extra care not to leave any items on display.

 

It’s great to be back and chat tomorrow.