Offenders banned from Aberdare town centre

Forty-two offenders have been banned from parts of Aberdare as part of a unique partnership that is cutting crime in the town centre to make it a safer, more attractive environment for all.

The exclusions have sent a strong message to offenders that they are not welcome, as the work by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) continues.

It will also reassure traders, visitors and residents alike that any arising issues in the town are taken seriously and that there is a proactive plan of action to deal with crime and offenders in place.

As well as ridding member premises of those who have convictions for – or associations with – fraud, theft and even violence, the partnership is enjoying further successes, including:

• Cutting the number of reported retail incidents by 38 per cent from 121 to 75, when the number of such incidents is rising across the rest of the UK.

• Serving ASBOS on five offenders, literally banning them from entering the town because of their unacceptable behaviour

RCT’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership has seen shop managers and their staff join forces with crime-fighting partners including South Wales Police and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

Working in a similar way to Neighbourhood Watch, shops and the partners meet regularly to share information, discuss crime and offenders, learn about crime trends and crime prevention and deliver anti-crime action.

The scheme also benefits from a Storenet radio system that links all member shops with the police and council CCTV control room so they can communicate in real time should there be an alert or an incident.

Cllr John David, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “We are proud of the innovation and success of our Business Crime Reduction Partnerships. They have done well in all the towns where they have been introduced.

“Their success is down to the commitment and professionalism of their members, and that includes the shop managers and staff who are dedicated to driving down crime and making the town a nicer place to be – for the benefit of their customers and visitors in general.

“The partnership is simple, but effective. We meet, share information and work out the best course of action to benefit the town, its traders and residents.

“The use of technology such as the shared radio system with the police and the CCTV operators enables quick-time response and an effective defence against those who we do not want in our town centres.”

Inspector Steve Meek, who heads policing in the town, added: “These exclusions send a clear message to offenders. They are not welcome in our town and we will work, as we have done, to gather the evidence we need to ban them.