Multi-agency team working together to keep Wrexham safe this Christmas

A multi-agency group is working hard to keep Wrexham safe during the busy festive period.

Christmas and New Year sees an increase in the number of people enjoying the city’s night-time economy, with Christmas parties and friends heading out to celebrate.

However behind the scenes there are teams working to make sure that everyone enjoys a safe night out in Wrexham.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Member for Community Safety and Partnerships, Cllr Paul Roberts, recently met officers and volunteers who are part of the team supporting people this Christmas.

The group met at Hafan y Dref, which is housed in a building on St Giles Way at the foot of Town Hill, right in the city centre.

It provides a Safe Hub and facilities to help people who might have drunk too much, lost friends, or become unwell.

The continued work of Hafan y Dref has been made possible through Safer Streets funding from the UK Home Office, which was announced in July 2022.

Revellers can receive medical care, advice on how to stay safe and devices to help them stay safe, such as anti-spiking covers for drinks, and flip-flops.

Following a tour of the facilities at Hafan y Dref, Andy Dunbobbin and Cllr Roberts met Colin McGivern, Owner of Events Medical Team, who provides medical care to those in need; Laurie Searle, Co-ordinator of the Street Pastors, and fellow Pastor Sandra Owens; Mel Pengelly, Commercial Director, and Francis Johnson, Group MD of Parallel Security, which provides the Street Marshalls; as well as Street Marshall Jordan Waddilove.

Sergeant Claire McGrady of North Wales Police’s Wrexham City team was also there to explain the policing measures underway in the run up to Christmas.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “It was a pleasure to visit Wrexham and hear about all the great work that is going on to keep residents and visitors safe on nights out.

“This time of year is the ‘Golden Quarter’ for our hugely important hospitality industry across North Wales and we want customers to know that all of us – from the police, to the local council to me as Police and Crime Commissioner – have their welfare at heart. Delivering safer neighbourhoods is a key part of my plan for policing in North Wales and the work at Hafan y Dref and elsewhere in Wrexham, made possible by the funding from the Safer Streets initiative, is a great example of this aim in action.”

The group also local licensees from Town Hill bars, Ironworks, and The Parish, to discuss the efforts they are making to protect customers and how they work with the local policing team and council to keep Wrexham a successful and secure night-time economy.

Lead Member for Community Safety and Partnerships, Cllr Paul Roberts, said: “Wrexham is a safe place to live, work and visit.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that it remains safe.”

Sergeant Claire McGrady of North Wales Police added: “Wrexham City Police are committed to providing additional resources to support the night time economy.

“Safer Streets has enabled this to happen, with additional officers on patrol, street marshals and Hafan y Dref all providing services to ensure that visitors have a positive experience of Wrexham during the lead up to Christmas.”

“The £75 million Home Office programme that encourages Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities to bid for investment for initiatives to prevent neighbourhood crime.

“The aim of the project is to support areas experiencing crime across England and Wales, such as domestic burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour (ASB), and violence against women and girls (VAWG) in public spaces, including in the night-time economy.

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s team worked closely with North Wales Police, Wrexham County Borough Council, Stepping Stones, North Wales Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, schools, justice services and third sector partners to ensure the bid had as much support as possible.