The crackdown on crime in the city centre has been highly reactive but very welcome. There is little doubt that some people feel intimidated when walking in parts of the city centre and that there has been an atmosphere where, at times, you feel you are stepping into an environment where many people have complex needs. The purpose of going into the city centre to shop, go to the bank or have a coffee or beer has too often been interrupted by a distracting incident of anti social behaviour. This has been growing for some time and despite retailer efforts at security the area has been a breeding ground for crime. This has come at a time when so much effort has been put into developing the independent retail sector in the City despite a difficult economic climate. With some justification it can be claimed that Gwent Police have not treated these growing problems with the necessary resources or commitment. The city centre may for the most part be a safe environment but it is not safe enough and the impression created by a lack of policing has undermined its ability to grow and develop.
The eight week long crime crackdown, Operation Krypton, has produced successful results and has been welcomed by retailers and shoppers but the number of arrests underlines the prevalence of crime in the area.
The statistics speak for themselves – nearly 100 arrests, 30 stop-searches, 13 warrants and more than a dozen vehicles seized during the operation so far.
Superintendent Esyr Jones, Neighbourhood Policing for Gwent, said:
“Our ongoing partnership work for Operation Krypton has resulted in 92 arrests for a variety of offences, ranging from drugs supply and burglary to assault and breach of bail, to disorderly behaviour. We’ve also worked with the Youth Offending Service (YOS) this week to take appropriate action against a young person following a report of an assault on High Street.
“We’re committed to working with our partners, including Newport City Council, to improve safety in the city centre and when we identify offences, even retrospectively, we will take appropriate action.“
However, the key questions are –
Why do we need a special policing operation for the city centre when the problems are serious and ongoing?
Without a permanent Operation Krypton style solution will we back to square one in September?
Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, who leads the City Council, said the high-profile operation was “making a real difference”.
But he said there was “concern from businesses and residents that Operation Krypton is just a surge [which] doesn’t continue”.
“They would like a consistent pattern of policing to that level, or close to that level, to ensure those people with issues don’t try to ‘re-dominate’ the city’s public space,” he said.
There are some inherent issues in the city centre that will need to be addressed regarding ongoing support for some of those with complex needs but why should businesses and shoppers be left to fend for themselves again. Newport is the capital city of Gwent but it has not been treated in that way by Gwent Police. Operation Krypton shows that where there is a will there is a way.