Police and Crime Commissioner Secures Home Office Funding to Improve Community Safety through ASB Hotspot Response Fund

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has secured nearly £1 million from the Home Office to collaborate with Local Authorities and Dyfed-Powys Police on initiatives aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The ASB Hotspot Response Fund is a government-backed initiative designed to address and reduce incidents of ASB in identified hotspot areas. This fund combines the previous ASB Hotspot Response and Grip funding streams provided to ten pilot forces in 2022/23, creating a more effective and comprehensive approach to community safety.

Positive collaboration between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Dyfed-Powys Police, and Local Authorities led to the Home Office approving the following initiatives for 2024/25:

  • Dyfed-Powys Police (DPP): £601,877.23. The majority of this will fund additional patrols in identified hotspots, with the remainder supporting analytical work and problem-solving activities.
  • Pembrokeshire County Council: £141,336.10 for patrolling and problem-solving initiatives.
  • Carmarthenshire County Council: £148,036.55 for community housing and environmental wardens and problem-solving measures.
  • Powys County Council: £90,000 for problem-solving initiatives including some patrolling measures.
  • Ceredigion County Council: £18,650 for problem-solving efforts.

PCC Dafydd Llywelyn said: "ASB can have an overwhelming impact on its victims and, in some cases, on the wider community. An effective response to anti-social behaviour requires innovation, strong partnerships between local agencies, and a mindset that puts victims first. These ASB Hotspot initiatives aim to achieve just that."

Through Dyfed-Powys Police’s Operation Ivydene, ten areas identified as ASB hotspots will receive an additional 11,000 hours of police patrols over the next eight months.

These hotspots include:

  • Carmarthenshire: Tyisha, Elli / Llanelli town centre, Carmarthen town, and Ammanford.
  • Ceredigion: Aberystwyth and Aberaeron.
  • Pembrokeshire: Haverfordwest town centre and Tenby town centre.
  • Powys: East Newtown and Brecon.

These initiatives are expected to enhance community safety and reduce the incidence of ASB in these areas.

Further information:

OPCC.Communication@dyfed-powys.police.uk

Article Date: 13/08/2024