Mark Isherwood
Following the recent arson attacks in Flintshire, North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has asked the Welsh Government what action is being taken to target those committing such crimes.
Shadow Housing and Communities Minister, Mr Isherwood raised the matter in his response to the Statement by the Local Government Minister, Lesley Griffiths AM on the Welsh Government’s programme ‘Safer Communities for All’.
Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Isherwood said:
“In Flintshire in recent weeks, we have seen an arson attack on Greenfield Road in Holywell and another arson attack in Connah’s Quay. So, in terms of targeted interventions, how do you feel you can develop the prevention programme with partners to target interventions at the persons or groups who still feel that arson is something they feel like carrying out, regardless of the consequences for victims and property?”
He said: “Flintshire and Wrexham Watch Association said that involving third sector organisations as a valued community safety partner was key, working with the community safety partnerships to help deliver strategic plans, community safety, and engaging ordinary citizens who live and work in local areas in helping to keep their communities safe.”
Highlighting good practice by Flintshire and Wrexham Watch Association, Mr Isherwood also questioned the Minister over “the need not just to have no-cold-calling zones, which can mean as little as a sign in the window, signs on the lamppost and a local co-ordinator, but engaging with a more interactive scheme like the OWL scheme, which is constantly sharing information with members, with the latest messages and crime alerts going to all by e-mail, telephone or other mechanisms available.
Questioning the Minister about youth justice, Mr Isherwood welcomed the reduction in the number of first time entrants, referred to the worrying increase in youth reoffending rates and noted that the Youth Justice Board had “pointed out that North Wales was lagging behind in restorative justice, although it was working with Gwynedd and Ynys Môn”.
Mr Isherwood also questioned the Minister about the cessation of the all-Wales Peer Mentoring Service for substance misuse, tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence, the need for accommodation for male victims of trafficking and engagement with the UK Government’s forthcoming modern slavery Bill.
