Crackdown against anti-social behaviour needed in Welshpool, says councillor
Action needs to be taken to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and boy racers in a Mid Wales town centre, a councillor has claimed.
Councillor Estelle Bleivas, who serves on Welshpool Town Council, said she spent a busy Saturday night on the beat with officers in the town.
She praised the way officers dealt with incidents, but called on Dyfed-Powys Police to give the town's service more support.
"I enjoyed spending a Saturday night on the beat with the officers in Welshpool, but I do worry for the future," Councillor Bleivas said.
"They are under strain across the force area and indeed the country, but I do feel more could be done in Welshpool to help them tackle problems.
"We currently have no civilian staff in Welshpool and I think that is a problem as many other towns do. These guys and girls need all the help they can get.
"Anti-social behaviour is a big problem in Welshpool as it is in many other towns around the region."
Councillor Bleivas said the council held a meeting with Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon last year, but she had heard little back.
"Fair play to him for coming down to meet us, but we haven't really had a change in the situation since," she said.
"I am still picking litter such as beer cans up after people, something needs to be done to tackle the issues."
It comes just weeks after fellow town councillor John Corfield called on the police to launch a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
His plea came following the news that Dyfed-Powys Police said it attended 100 crimes in Welshpool in November and December last year, with 35 of those classed as anti-social behaviour.
He said: "Christopher Salmon vowed to do all he can to tackle the problem in the town centre. Well I say the proof is in the pudding and he hasn't lived up to that yet."
