Colwyn Bay ‘one of the safest’ towns in Britain

Feb 11 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Essi Ahari

COLWYN Bay is among the safest towns in Britain says the Inspector tasked with tackling crime.

Police figures indicate crime is on the decrease in the Colwyn Bay and Abergele area despite a blackspot in the Bay’s town centre which is largely down to low level offences says Insp Essi Ahari.

Crime in Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, Mochdre, Rhiw, Eirias, Colwyn, Llysfaen, Llanddulas, Abergele and Pensarn, Betws-yn-Rhos, Gele, Pentre Mawr, Towyn and Kinmel Bay wards is reported as average with many crimes largely on the decrease.

The statistics were taken from a period between October and December last year and compared to the same months in 2008.

Colwyn Bay’s Glyn ward stands out as a blackspot with over 20 violent crimes reported each month. Anti-social behaviour is also high with over 51 incidents as an average reported during the same period.

However despite crime being reported as high, both violent crimes and anti-social behaviour have fallen from the same period in 2008; 27.3 and 67 respectively.

Insp Essi Ahari claimed the Colwyn Bay area was among the safest in Britain and explained how police work had helped improve the crime rate.

“The Glyn Ward has seen a significant decrease in violent crime per 1,000 population,” he said.

“Glyn Ward is a densely populated area, which includes the town centre, various licensed premises, four schools and several landlords registered under the ‘approved landlord scheme’.

“Since April 2009 to date, there have been 712 recorded crimes, 66 fewer than last year, of which 384 have been detected (54%). This detection rate is amongst the highest in England and Wales.

“The majority of recorded crime are low level criminal damage and public order, however, the local Neighbourhood Policing Team is not complacent and has worked extensively with various agencies, including the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit at Conwy Council, housing enforcements, private landlords, licensed premises, Housing Options and Support Team, Shelter Cymru, the Town Centre Manager, heads of schools and Communities First – to drive down crime.

“Colwyn Bay is amongst the safest areas in Britain and the local police with the co-operation of the public will continue to make every effort to reduce crime and disorder in the area.”

To view the statistics in full log onto www.north-wales.police.uk and click onto crime map.

Have you got a problem or an opinion on crime in the Colwyn Bay area or do you have praise for police work in your town and village? Email richard.evans@ northwalesnews.co.uk or contact Richard Evans on 01492 574481.