A ZERO tolerance zone for anti-social behaviour has been credited for cutting crime.
Offences within Colwyn Bay area have fallen by more than a quarter compared to last year’s levels.
Insp Ian Verburg, responsible for policing the West Conwy Coastal Area, told Colwyn Bay Town Council that police had seen a drop in crime throughout nearly every ward in the town.
He said the dispersal zone, covering Abergele Road and nearby key streets and due to run until January, was “working really well” and had contributed to a fall in crime.
Areas which saw the greatest drop in crime were the Rhiw and Glyn wards, which saw decreases in crime by 21 per cent and 26 per cent respectively.
Llandulas was the only area to see an increase in crime, up 20 per cent on last year’s figures.
Insp Verburg also spoke about restructuring within the force which will see many smaller police stations closing, including the station next door to the Town Hall on Rhiw Road.
Ins Verburg admitted that the station had a “use-by-date”, but the location of the force in the town would need to change given the shifting number of officers and their relocation to new “hubs” throughout the West Conwy Coastal Area
He said: “We don’t want to move from here, but it’s about finding a suitable location to have that many officers.”
Cllr Hazel Meredith raised concerns that shifting the hub for officers could see a drop in police volume in the town, as it would stop officers from having to drive through the town to reach their offices.
She said: “I think it does increase your confidence if you see a car coming through, as you hardly ever see a police officer walking these days.”
