Local AM leads forum to improve safety

Llanelli AM Keith Davies has listened to local concerns on community safety in one area of the town, by establishing a new forum to tackle issues head on.

The New Station Road Forum met on Friday 29th June tasked with tackling crime issues in the station Road area. The meeting, organised and chaired by Keith Davies AM, was attended by representatives of the local neighbourhood police, Llanelli CID, Carmarthenshire County Council, the Fire Service, and local third sector & residents’ organisations.

Residents’ representatives spoke of their appreciation for the work being done in the area, and the need to change the public’s perception of Tyisha and Station Road.

Recently the organisations involved have been targeting resources and strategies to combat resident’s concerns.

Keith Davies AM said:

“What’s been highlighted in this multi-partner meeting is the need to talk up the area, and the things being done to make it better. Residents should be reassured that the authorities are pushing hard to bring down crime rates. The police have reported falls in crime over the last year, that really demonstrated the targeted use of resources is working”.

One of the participating organisations, “Station Road Forum” welcomed the addition of a cumulative impact order which will restrict alcohol licencing in the area, and the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) that will give the Police additional powers to remove alcohol from a designated area around Station Road.

Positive Impact

The Forum agreed that the introduction of such controls would have a positive impact on the area, and would give the local policing team another tool to make the environment safer for the public. It was also agreed that the new lettings policy in Tyisha is working. Carmarthenshire County Council has started placing vulnerable people in sympathetic environments where they stand a real chance of changing their lives.

Mr Davies added:

“There will be more partnership action in the future, focusing on repeat offenders in Llanelli, and this will help change perceptions of high crime in the area. The Cumulative impact order, DPPO, and lettings policy, have already turned the tide, and there’s more action to come during the summer”.

The forum decided to meet again after the summer, and to focus on organising and attending future community events together.