Commissioner attends Gwent Neighbourhood Watch meeting
These are two of the questions Gwent's Police and Crime Commissioner, Ian Johnston and his Deputy, Paul Harris, put to Gwent Neighbourhood Watch leaders at their annual meeting at Greenmeadow Golf Club, Cwmbran last week.
Mr Johnston is conducting a review of opportunities for the public to meet Gwent Police officers and staff, to ensure people feel they have enough chances, at the right time and place for them, to air issues of concern.
The large gathering of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators used the opportunity to put a range of questions to the Commissioner on a variety of subjects including:
- Illegal parking and how its being tackled
- Crime Prevention Panels
- Police and Crime panels
- The setting up of additional neighbourhood community safety initiatives.
- Closure of police stations
- Support for the OWL neighbourhood watch scheme
- Feedback on anti social behaviour related intelligence
The Chair of Gwent Neighbourhood Watch, Ken Oliphant thanked both Mr Johnston and Mr Harris for devoting so much time to informing members and their willingness to discuss any issue with them.
Mr Johnston was delighted to attend:
"The meeting was very informative and we were able to discuss, in a frank and honest way, lots of issues that are extremely important to residents across Gwent. I'm extremely keen to encourage open and transparent engagement about policing issues, for increased accessibility, and for residents to have their questions answered in a way that suits them. Public confidence is about listening to the needs of communities and consulting with them when decisions about their communities are being made: what matters to them, matters to me."