Police say Llandudno Junction clampdown was a success

Nov 18 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

Ian Verburg

A CLAMPDOWN on anti-social behaviour in Llandudno Junction has proved a huge success with not one incident reported during the Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night period.

Last year, after increasing vandalism and disruptive behaviour, orders were put in place banning youths from congregating in certain areas.

Following that, the police, council and businesses collaborated to ensure youngsters don’t gain access to alcohol and items used to deface property.

“It’s been a brilliant success and shows what can be achieved when everybody works together,” said Cllr Mike Priestley.

“It was highlighted over Hallowe’en when shops refused to sell flour and eggs to youngsters. In previous years we’ve had real problems with these items being used to create anti-social behaviour, but this year there wasn’t one incident reported to me.

“I take my hat off to the young people of the Junction who have behaved so responsibly and I’m hoping that the progress made will continue,” he added.

His colleague Cllr Meirion Hughes praised the work of PC Peter Colley, who has built up a good rapport with the community.

“He has a highly visible presence and is known to everyone. His work, together with that of the youth service, is showing excellent results.

“This was highlighted on Bonfire Night, which was fantastic compared with previous years. I also want to pay tribute to the kids themselves. I have always known the majority of them are good, and this is now shown to be the case.”

West Conwy police inspector Ian Verburg said anti-social behaviour had dropped considerably since a dispersal order was issued in September 2009, because residents had complained about anti-social behaviour and underage drinking around Conway Road, the memorial hall, Woodlands and Marl Drive.

Locals claimed they had been intimidated and harassed as a result of the behaviour of people drinking alcohol around the train station, near the supermarkets and under the fly-overs.

He said: “On Hallowe’en there wasn’t a single incident of anti-social behaviour in Junction. It’s a great success story and we were helped by the stores who agreed not to sell eggs or flour to anyone under 18 in the preceding weeks.”

For more on the success of Llandudno Junction’s youth week, turn to page eight.