The launch of the town centre operation locally known as ‘Merthyr Tydfil Together’ working in unity with South Wales Police and partners in Merthyr is a significant step towards tackling serious and organised crime by fostering community involvement and collaboration among various sectors. This three-phase approach focuses on targeted crime disruption, stabilising affected areas, and addressing the root causes of criminality.
Inspector Meirion Collings emphasises the importance of a partnership approach: “The success of this Merthyr Tydfil Together initiative relies on collaboration with local authorities, businesses, and community members. By working together, the initiative aims to enhance the safety and well-being of the community, creating a lasting impact on crime reduction and improving relationships among residents.
“The program builds on successful models from other areas in the UK, demonstrating that community-driven actions can effectively reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The commitment to not only enforce but also support individuals in need showcases a holistic strategy aimed at long-term safety and improvement in Merthyr.
“This initiative represents a commitment to making Merthyr Tydfil town a safer, more vibrant place for residents and visitors, underscoring the belief that community engagement is crucial in addressing crime and its underlying causes.”
The involvement of pupils from Cae Draw Primary School in designing the logo for ‘Merthyr Tydfil Together’ resulted in some creative and inspiring designs. Congratulations to the winner, Nika Guan!
Councillor Declan Sammon, Merthyr Tydfil CBC’s Cabinet Member for Transformation, Governance & Social Partnership, said: “Concerns have been raised around anti-social behaviour in the town centre by business owners and shoppers, so we need to act.
“We want people to feel safe within our town centre and encourage more visitors there, and we know this operation is critical to that.
“We hope to make a real difference and will share the progress of our journey with you along the way, with regular updates from partners.”
