Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

No-one will accept they are a bad driver, but a gentle reminder of the basic skills can do your confidence a world of good. And this is never truer than for older drivers. So much has changed since their learned to drive from road layouts to the density of traffic. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit, supported by the Community Safety Partnership, has taken a proactive approach towards improving the road safety of the older driver population and has been working with the 50+ Forum to pilot ‘refresher’ driver awareness sessions. More than 50 drivers across the county have taken part in courses in the last few months. In the UK there is an increasing population of drivers over the age of 60 years. Within Wales there are a total of 544,602 driving licence holders aged 60 or over, with 58,579 of these being over the age of 80. County road safety manager Keith Griffiths said: “With these numbers set to increase we have introduced these sessions and they’re proving popular. “...

Students in Carmarthenshire are being urged to not to get carried away celebrating success at their A-level. The Community Safety Partnership wants to ensure students enjoy a safe and trouble-free enjoyment and don’t get carried away to A&E or the cells! The 18-year-olds are being urged to ‘Think Safe, Drink Safe’ next Thursday after picking up their A-level results – and those still under 18 are being reminded to have an alcohol-free celebration. They are also being urged to stay out of rivers and lakes, and not to go into the sea if they have been drinking. The Community Safety Partnership wants to ensure students enjoy a safe and trouble-free post-results celebration. Young adults are being reminded of the harmful effects of drink including alcoholic poisoning, hangovers, and reckless or anti-social behaviour. Top Tips: If you’re planning on drinking, think ahead: • Most importantly – remember you don’t have to be drunk to have a good time. Set yourself a sensible limit and sti...

A new school time activated flashing lights pedestrian crossing outside Pentip School, Pembrey Road, Llanelli, is the first of its kind in Wales. The sign has flashing lights and warning signs urging drivers to cut their speed outside the school to 20mph since the new school term started on Tuesday, September 4. With more than 12,000 traffic movements daily the A484 road is one of the busiest roads of its classification anywhere in the country. The Community Safety Partnership and Road Safety Action Group identified the crossing as the best means of slowing traffic down outside the school after lobbying from school governors and local members. County executive board member for transport services Cllr Colin Evans said: ”This innovative solution to local concerns shows how hard we work with partners to force through resolutions for community concerns. “The new signage will be an in your face warning to approaching motorists of the school where there will also be a school’s crossing...

Residents of Carmarthenshire are being encouraged to ensure peace of mind while they are away on holiday by making sure their homes are secure. Almost half of all burglaries happen when a house or flat is empty but the risk can be reduced by taking simple safety measures. The Community Safety Partnership’s Acquisitive Crime Action Group, which has representatives from the police, fire and rescue service and Carmarthenshire County Council, has discussed what householders can do to reduce the already low risk of being burgled. Police community safety officer PC Rob Chapman said: “We want people to take simple precautions before going on holiday so that they can enjoy peace of mind while they’re away. “It’s a good idea to get help from family members or your neighbours. You could ask them to collect post, park in the drive, mow the lawn, open and close curtains, and so on. Anything to make the place look lived in. “Don’t advertise the fact that you are going away. For instance, don’t sta...

More use is being made of CCTV in Carmarthenshire helping to catch criminals red-handed. Figures for the year 2011/12 show the number of incidents where CCTV was used for monitoring was up from 230 the previous year to 571. It also contributed to the arrest of 190 people. The highly-skilled CCTV operators were able to observe the incidents as they happened and the police would then direct resources accordingly. The operators work closely with officers proactively monitoring specific people or vehicles of interest. The footage is then used in court as evidence. Incidents include assaults, criminal damage, drugs related offences, missing persons, thefts from properties and vehicles, public order offences, shoplifting and road traffic collisions. In particular, police colleagues have recognised the good work of CCTV operators in Carmarthen in helping to trace offenders involved in a violent assault in the town as well as a number of ‘creeper’ burglaries, where homes have been broken into ...

Licensees in Carmarthenshire are being encouraged to join their local BOBB scheme. The Behave or Be Banned (or BOBB) scheme sees police and licensees working together to reduce violence and disorder in pubs and clubs in the county. Problem customers are banned not just from the one pub but all those in the area that have signed up. It also tackles underage drinking and the use and supply of drugs. The scheme was initially set up in the three main towns of Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford but has now been rolled out to other areas including Llandeilo, Llandovery, Cross Hands, Newcastle Emlyn, Pencader, Whitland and St Clears. The scheme has been a great success and in total, 172 licensed premises across Carmarthenshire have signed up and 114 people are currently banned. The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is working hard to tackle violent and alcohol-related crime and is now calling on more licensees to get involved. Chair of the CSP’s Violent and Alcohol-Related Crime Action Group...

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being warned about the dangers of using illegal taxis. The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is urging people to use a licensed cab to get home safely and reminding them of the Cab Safe text service. Just text CAB to 83222 to receive contact numbers for three licensed taxi and private car hire companies in their area. The system works by locating the sender via their mobile phone signal and automatically sends them a text for the nearest taxi firms. Launched in 2006 by the CSP and the council’s licensing section, the service is not-for-profit and self-financing, with support from more than 80 taxi companies from across the county. Letters were sent out to 500 licensed premises before the Six Nations Rugby Tournament asking them to display the posters to publicise Cab Safe. Although there have been no problems with rogue taxis locally, with the lighter nights and summer fast approaching, another reminder is going out. Chair of the CSP’s Violent and Alc...

A project which helps to keep late night revellers in Carmarthen safe has received a £1,000 cash boost towards running costs. Carmarthen NightLight, which sees church volunteers out on the streets on Saturday nights, has received the grant funding from the Community Safety Partnership. As well as carrying water, first aid and flip-flops for women struggling in high heels, the volunteers pick up bottles and glasses off the streets, which can get broken and create a hazard for girls in bare feet. The project was launched in January 2011 by the Carmarthen branch of CYTUN (Churches Together in Wales) and currently has 23 volunteers from nine churches and chapels of different denominations. Six volunteers - three on the streets and three back at the base - work every Saturday night from 11pm to 3am. The street volunteers are in mobile phone contact with the base team as well as in radio contact with the police. During the first year approximately 250 pairs of flip-flops and 150 bottles of ...

New CCTV camera will help keep Burry Port safe | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys A new CCTV camera has been installed in Burry Port Park. The Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership has funded the camera, costing almost £10,000. It followed a request from the police and the town council for an additional camera for the town.

A new CCTV camera has been installed in Burry Port Park. The Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership has funded the camera, costing almost £10,000. It followed a request from the police and the town council for an additional camera for the town. It is hoped it will help police in their fight against crime and anti-social behaviour as well as provide reassurance for residents by reducing the fear of crime. The town already has two CCTV cameras and the new addition will significantly increase coverage in the area. County councillors Pat Jones and Stephen James have welcomed the crime prevention boost for the town. Cllr Jones said: “CCTV is seen as a major deterrent against all types of crime as well as anti-social behaviour and I am delighted that we have been able to secure another camera for the town, I am sure residents are also pleased as it will help to increase safety.” Cllr James added: “We do not have a major problem with crime in Burry Port but like any other town there a...

Carmarthenshire's community safety team is hitting the road this Christmas to spread some festive crime prevention advice. A number of roadshows are being held across the county and residents are being urged to go along and meet their local Neighbourhood Policing Team as well as pick up essential safety advice and crime prevention tips. The roadshows are being held on/at: • Friday, December 2 – 3pm-5pm - Tesco, Parc Trostre, Llanelli • Tuesday, December 6 – 11am-2pm – Guildhall Sqaure, Carmarthen • Wednesday, December 21 – 10am – 2pm - Quay street, Ammanford Officers will also be encouraging people to sign up to the Online Watch Link (OWL) messaging system. Free to residents, it sends messages – such as crime alerts or crime prevention advice - by telephone, fax, email or mobile phone. The aim is to inform communities so that they can share information on incidents from rogue traders to anti-social behaviour. It works particularly well for Neighbourhood Watch groups and can help pr...

The number of anti-social behaviour incidents over Halloween and Bonfire Night fell by a massive 85% this year. Police received 185 anti-social behaviour-related calls from across Carmarthenshire between October 25 and November 6 compared to 335 the previous year – that’s 150 less incidents. It shows partnership working between the police, council and fire service – as part of the BANG initiative which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and fireworks misuse – is really making a difference. Sgt David Gaskins, responsible for community safety, said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority for the partnership and a lot of hard work has gone into this initiative which aims to make the Halloween and Bonfire Night period safe, enjoyable and as trouble-free as possible. “This is now the fourth year we have been running this initiative and every year we have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour, in particular, the results for this year are extremely pleasing a...

A drive to raise awareness of road safety issues is being held in Carmarthenshire this month. It coincides with Road Safety Week from November 21- 27 to show what we can do to make roads safer and prevent needless tragedies. The Community Safety Partnership’s Road Safety Action Group will be out and about with information and advice on speeding, careless driving, driving while using a mobile phone, driving on drink / drugs or while tired, or failing to wear a seatbelt. A ‘crashed car’ will also be on show to help deliver some hard-hitting messages on the consequences of road traffic collisions. Events are being held between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday, November 22 in Llanelli town centre (outside Boots); Wednesday, November 23 in Guildhall Square, Carmarthen; and Thursday, November 24 in Quay Street, Ammanford. Come along and you can also enter a free prize draw to win a sat nav. The action group includes representatives from the council’s road safety team, the police and fire and rescue s...

Motorists caught speeding past Peniel Primary School had red faces when they had to explain their carelessness to the pupils themselves. Some drivers are so embarrassed they prefer not to put themselves through the ordeal and accept a fixed penalty notice. The Speeding Initiative outside schools throughout the county is being promoted as part of Carmarthenshire's Community Safety Partnership. Officers from Carmarthenshire County Council's Road Safety unit teamed up with Carmarthen North Neighbourhood Policing team and pupils from Peniel School to target speeding drivers. The aim of the campaign is to educate drivers and raise awareness of the impact that speeding vehicles have on local communities, and the objective is to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured each year on the roads in Carmarthenshire. The offending drivers were given the option of speaking to the pupils to explain why they were speeding outside their school, or to receive a fixed penalty noti...

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being reminded to lock up their sheds and outbuildings as the winter sets in. Garden sheds and garages can be a treasure trove for thieves with bikes, lawnmowers, tools and equipment running into thousands of pounds. The Community Safety Partnership, which includes the police and council, is urging people to look at their security as the dark nights draw in as part of its ‘Think Safe, Home Safe’ campaign. Latest figures for July to September show that there were 95 offences of non-dwelling burglaries throughout Carmarthenshire. Of these, 37% (35) were burglaries to sheds/garages and 36% (34) were because the premises were insecure. Although this is a 46% reduction on the same period last year (81 less crimes) and a 10% reduction on the previous three months (10 less crimes), officers are warning people to take the necessary precautions to secure their sheds and outbuildings. Community safety officer PC Anthony George said: “It’s important that people no...

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged to sign up to the free Online Watch Link (OWL) so that the police can keep them up-to-date with what is going on in their area. The system sends messages by telephone, fax, email or mobile phone. Crime alerts can be sent out within half an hour of a crime occurring and it can be used to send out crime prevention advice. The aim is to inform communities so that they can share information on incidents from rogue traders to anti-social behaviour. It works particularly well for Neighbourhood Watch groups and can help prevent further crimes being committed as well as reassuring residents. The scheme is being piloted by Dyfed-Powys Police, with funding from the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership. Crime reduction co-ordinator Brian Jones said: “OWL is an automated system that sends emails with useful information on crimes in the area, news about your local Neighbourhood Policing Team and crime prevention advice. It can also send short SMS te...

A property marking scheme is underway in the Pantyffynnon area to help tighten up security for people at risk. Funded by the Community Safety Partnership, it is being run in conjunction with Communities First Pantyffynnon and reassures residents by marking their valuables using the most up-to-date technology aimed at preventing burglaries and reducing theft. The SelectaDNA marking kits work by applying a clear fluid to items of value, such as laptops, computer equipment, TVs, DVD players, iPods and mobile phones. Not only is it almost impossible to remove, but each kit has a unique code (similar to human DNA) that cannot be duplicated in any way shape or form. This means if the property is stolen and recovered by police it can easily be traced back to its owner – and irrefutably link the criminal to the burglary or break-in. Communities First were able to register people interested in the initiative through their partnership board, the local pensioners group and those who live alone...

Latest figures show CCTV cameras in Carmarthenshire are helping police catch criminals in the act. From April 1 last year to March 31 this year, 230 incidents were recorded in the three main towns of Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford resulting in 210 arrests. Highly-skilled CCTV operators were able to observe the incidents as they happened and police would then direct resources accordingly. The operators work closely with officers and spent a total of 975 hours proactively monitoring specific people or vehicles of interest. The footage is then used in court as evidence. Incidents include assaults, criminal damage, drugs related offences, missing persons, thefts from properties and vehicles, public order offences, shoplifting and road traffic collisions. Executive Board Member for Community Safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “CCTV makes a huge contribution to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour as well as providing reassurance for residents. “The operators are extremely proactive, helpi...

Young people went ‘wild in the country’ under a Community Safety Partnership initiative which also taught them the consequences of crime. A ‘wildcamp’ was held at Glanamman Resource Centre for 15 youngsters aged between 13 and 15 from across Carmarthenshire. The five-day residential programme included physical activities such as coasteering, boxing/fishing and mountain biking during the day and workshops on anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, dangerous driving and fire/arson in the evening. The youngsters also made a video diary and a special presentation evening was held on the final day. Agencies taking part included the council’s youth service, police and fire and rescue service. The council’s Executive Board Member for Community Safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: “The activities held during the week helped to educate and challenge the young people and widen their experience. “It also aimed to help the young people become more aware of how their behaviour affects others and to deter ...

Residents in Carmarthenshire are being warned to make sure their summer holidays are not ruined by thieves. If you are going away, then make sure your home is secure to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Police say there have also been some incidents of thefts from empty properties including those with ‘for sale’ signs outside. Community safety officer Constable Anthony George said: “Thieves are targeting copper boilers, pipes and central heating systems because the price of scrap metal is currently at a record high. “We are advising owners to make sure their properties are secure and if possible, have a neighbour keep an eye on it for you. Think about fitting a battery operated alarm to the entrance area, or even a security light. Also make sure the water is turned off at the mains; some properties have suffered serious flooding damage after thieves removed the water pipes leaving water running out, sometimes for days.” Police say approximately half of all burglaries in the county are ...