During the 10th of October, there was an increased police presence as Operation #TotalFocus rolled out across the area. Officers executed arrest warrants, carried out spot checks on identified individuals, properties and businesses. Police officers, PCSOs, special constables and multi-agency partners joined together in some focused operations throughout the county and have together been highlighting issues on the day of action, the operation was aimed at tackling crimes that are impacting on vulnerable people within communities. Alongside this, there was support for victims and witnesses of crime to help them through their experiences.
FYI Talgarth was invited along with Cllr William Powell to observe the force out on patrol as part of a crackdown on crime in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys during Dyfed Powys Police’s Force Day of Action, followed on social media through #TotalFocus.
We joined patrols in and around Talgarth, where some problem areas had been identified. One of these, the site of the Mid Wales Hospital has been an issue to neighbouring properties. The force has been engaged in working with the residents and Town Council amongst others in addressing issues of 'boy racers' and 'ghost hunting tourists' drawn to the site causing late night disruption and damage to property. FYI Talgarth has been for some time, working as part of their social media campaign sending a strong message out across Wales 'DO NOT COME!' We welcomed the chance to observe some of the issues being tackled during the operation in our local community.
Whilst on site at the Mid Wales Hospital, Dyfed-Powys Police's Dog Unit handler Gary, along with Police dogs 'Ozzy and Polly' caught up with us where he explained the key role the dogs play in investigations throughout the county. The dogs on exercise as part of #TotalFocus, are on call with their handler throughout Powys often at short notice. Ozzy a general purpose Police Dog is a special deterrent and operates under strict engagement rules. Police dog Polly is a 'Victim Recovery' dog. Polly has been specially trained in sniffing out blood at crime scenes, sometimes many years old as part of her specialised role. It was a real privilege to meet them both!
Below, handler Gary with Police Dog 'Ozzy'
One of the other areas of concern during the force's day of action was 'Child Sexual Exploitation' CSE . DC Anthea Ponting explained how during the operation, spot checks on young people with young females in the car, raised awareness of the vulnerability of young girls often accompanying older males late at night, and offered advice and information on the issue. The message being reinforced is that officers are tackling the Child Sexual Exploitation issue and males with much younger females in cars late at night will be challenged.
We include in our report Chief Constable Mark Collins report of #TotalFocus, he said: “Members of the public can expect to see a big police presence today throughout the Dyfed-Powys force area during our second Force Day of Action as we work to ensure we continue to police the safest towns and villages across England and Wales.
“There will be proactive policing work seeking out those who are known to be offending and targeting the more vulnerable people in our communities, putting a #TotalFocus on issues including drugs supply and misuse, traveling criminals, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), domestic abuse and cyber-crime.
“There will also be a strong focus on caring for victims and witnesses of crime. Being a victim or witness of crime can be a terribly traumatic experience that takes time and effort to overcome. There are services available that are ready and waiting to help and our officers or partners will be able to help.
“We also need members of the public to tell us if they suspect that others are being taken advantage of. If you know about it, report it.”
Officers and staff will be providing victims and witnesses of crime with details of a victim and witness service called Goleudy, which is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn. Goleudy will have Victim Service officers available throughout the day to speak to offer practical and emotional support via the Goleudy hotline 0300 123 2996.
Mr Llywelyn said: “Highly skilled staff and volunteers from Goleudy are helping out on the Day of Action to ensure any victims identified by police officers as requiring support can call the Goleudy victim service phone number that day.
“Victims do not have to have reported the crime to police to access this service, and they can get access to practical support, including security improvements at their home, and emotional support.”
Goleudy was launched in April 2017 and has brought together the Victim Service and The Witness Care Unit.
The Victim Service contacts victims to offer emotional and practical support via phone or face to face. They can also offer target hardening tools, advocacy and referrals to external agencies.
The Witness Care Unit keeps victims and witnesses fully informed of the progress of their case from first hearing through to the conclusion of the case, coordinating special measures and pre-trial court visits through Citizens Advice Witness Service.
Victim Service
0300 123 2996
goleudy@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk
Witness Care Unit
01267 226 039
witnesscareunit.cjit@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk
www.goleudyvictimandwitnessservice.org.uk
FYI would like to thank Dyfed Powys Police, especially Sgt Craig Morgan for inviting us and DC Anthea Ponting for the insight into #TotalFocus operations. Many thanks to PCSO Billy Dunne, and DPP Specials SC Matthew Roach.
You can find out more about the force on their website:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/ and
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/cy/
Below DC Anthea Ponting talks to Cllr William Powell about the Day of Action
Pleae find attached PDF file of 'Stop it Now'
{pdf:/static/user/289/636439201448245826/stop it now leaflet.pdf:View PDF}
Other useful websites to give advice and help on these issues are:
https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/our_work/cse-home
Sgt Craig Moran checks out the Mid Wales Hospital
DPP Special SC Matthew Roach checking property adjacent to the Mid Wales Hospital site
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