Police to hold ‘day of action’

The day has been organised by a local action team which was set up to look at a number of concerns in Rowlands Road. A combination of issues including perception of crime, particularly drug related crime along with a transient community with ‘for sale’ and ‘to let’ signs constantly on display has led to worries in the community about the area.

Members of the team will be on hand outside the Gala Bingo from 11am to offer crime prevention advice to the community ranging from scam and fraud prevention messages, to how to keep your property safe this summer as well as highlighting what residents and businesses can do if they are concerned about drugs in their area.

PC Marv Lucas said: “The concerns were raised at our monthly joint action group meeting about the general feeling in the Rowlands Road area. It has been invaluable to have a number of residents involved in the LAT because it has helped us to get a really clear picture from our community about what their issues are and what we can be doing to support them.

“We will be looking to provide reassurance and crime prevention messages on the day as well as to listen to any other concerns the public may have. We have purchased a stencil to be able to spray temporary “smile you’re on CCTV” messages in the local area, similar to the “pick it up” dog mess stencils that the local council have used in the past. We hope this will act as a deterrent to anybody wanting to commit crime or cause disruption to this area of the town and make residents feel safer.”