North Wales Police have welcomed an exciting new initiative to make the streets of Bangor a safer place for all.
Chief Superintendent Mark Jones, Divisional Commander for Western Policing Division has added his support to the new Street Pastors Scheme which launches in Bangor later this month.
Over the next few months the city will see volunteers from Cytûn – the Bangor Churches organisation – being trained up to work in partnership with the police and other services, walking the streets of Bangor on Friday nights between 10pm and 4am.
The aim of this pilot scheme, which is funded by the Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership, is to make Bangor a safer place for those enjoying a night out, as well as those who live and work in the city.
The Street Pastors will be there to help any members of the public who need support or assistance in keeping safe, for example if they need help in finding a safe way of getting home or if they have been separated from friends.
They will also oversee safety issues on the streets such as clearing away broken glass or calming tense situations.
Chief Super Mark Jones said: “Bangor has a vibrant night life, and I am convinced the Street Pastor Scheme will add real value in further protecting vulnerable people and contributing to making our streets safer.
“My officers are looking forward to working with the Pastors, and I consider this is yet another example of the positive work of the Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership in further reducing crime and the fear of crime”
Catherine Roberts, Gwynedd’s Senior Community Safety Officer, said that the scheme would officially launch on July 16 but will not be operational until the autumn.
She said: “We already know that Gwynedd is one of the safest places in England and Wales to live, with crime rates well below the national average and detection rates well above the average. However, as a Partnership we are aware that we should not be complacent and that we must ensure Gwynedd continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit.
“We want to do all that we can to ensure that everyone feels safe and secure while enjoying all that the city has to offer. The Street Pastors will be a welcome addition to Bangor’s night life and we look forward to seeing how this pilot scheme benefits the community.
“We would welcome the public’s views on how this initiative is working during the coming months,” she added.
The Gwynedd Community Safety Partnership is a statutory partnership, made up of six partners – Gwynedd Council, North Wales Police and Police Authority, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Health Board and Probation Service and others.
