‘Significant extra patrols’ to tackle serious violence in North Wales after £1m grant award

Extra police patrols will be carried out in North Wales to tackle serious violence and anti-social behaviour.

Enhanced measures will be put in place over the next 12 months after North Wales Police was awarded £1m from a UK Government funding pot.

Areas where crime rates are higher than others will be targeted as part of the ‘Hotspot Response’ scheme.

The local policing operation, named as ‘Op Restore’, has seen a total of 30 hotspots identified across the region following input from district inspectors.

Chief Inspector Matt Geddes, who is leading the operation, said additional patrols had already begun some areas.

He said: “We now have operational patrols and analytical support up and running across the force area.

“Ultimately, the success of Op Restore across the next 12 months will depend on ensuring that the right areas are resourced adequately.

“Naturally, we will continually review the crime data from these targeted areas and tailor our operational response appropriately and proportionately.

“An enhanced uniformed presence in these areas, which will target all forms of ASB and serious violence specifically, should yield a significant reduction in recorded crime overall.

“This high-visibility proactive patrolling will be supported by force and local level problem-solving approaches to tackle some of the drivers behind this type of offending with partners.

“The aim is to deliver high impact changes with long term outcomes for the communities of North Wales.”

A total of more than £66 million has been distributed among all UK police forces as part of the government scheme.

The grant of £1m for North Wales Police was decided in accordance with the size of the area covered by the force.