Penmaenmawr will have full time police officer next week

Nov 18 2010 by Rayyan Parry, North Wales Weekly News

PENMAENMAWR will have its own full time police officer as of next week.

Inspector Ian Verburgh and PCSO Nikki Jones met with town councillors and residents last week regarding anti-social behaviour in the area.

Eight incidents were reported between October and November, including alcohol being confiscated from underage youths and licensing tests being carried out on properties.

Now, police have begun to crack down on anti-social behaviour through increased patrols.

And the Maen Alaw centre will receive increased police presence next week when a new community beat manager is installed.

CCTV will be used to identify rowdy groups in the centre and more licensing is expected in the coming week.

“People who are old and frail and young women feel threatened when they come across a gang of boisterous youths, and this must not be the case,” said mayor Harry Jones.

“Over a few months now, many residents have come up to me to tell me of their concerns and the town council requested that the officers attend so a practical and workable solution could be worked out to rid the town of these issues.

“If the youths want to play football, we have a multi-purpose venue for them next to the community centre, and in addition, extra facilities at the youth club mean they have something to do.”

He added: “Let no one come to me and say that they have nothing to do in Penmaenmawr.

“Organisations and individuals have bent over backwards to provided facilities for the youth of today, more than many other towns and villages in the area.

“There have been great efforts by the PCSO in Penmaenmawr who organised a Hallowe’en disco for them and who is constantly working to increase the facilities available for them.

“Also, it was wonderful to hear from Insp Verburgh that Penmaenmawr will soon have in place its own community beat manager.

“That facility means the misbehaving youths will become known to the local officer and hopefully it will lessen the number of anti-social incidents in the area as well.”

Anyone who feels threatened or intimidated should contact police on 101.