Paws on Patrol NPT J U N E N E W S L E T T E R 2 0 2 1

WELC OME

Welcome to the June edition of our Paws on Patrol Newsletter. Within the newsletter you will find useful information from partner agencies, ways in which you can keep yourselves safe and information on any current issues/campaigns.

CRIME PREVENTION PACKS

Our Team have been busy during April and May delivering Paws on Patrol Dog Theft Awareness Packs to our members who requested one.

We have had received great feedback from members and we hope that these packs will help you feel 'safe' whilst out walking your dogs.

We are pleased to inform you that there have been NO reports of dog thefts to South Police within the Area from the 1st April 2021 until today.

We would still like to remind people to always be on your guard especially if you plan to take your pet on holiday to different areas this summer.

ABERAVON BEACH BY LAWS 1st May - 30th September

We would like to remind our members that the annual Beach dog order came into place on May 1st and lasts until September 30th.

This prohibits dogs from entering a designated part of the beach and requires dogs to be on a lead at all times on the promenade.

Dog owners can be prosecuted for failure to comply with the order.

Please check out the exclusion zone for further information or look out for the signage along the promenade if you are visiting.

See here for the exclusion zone: https://www.npt.gov.uk/1410?pr_id=6791

Delibe r ate Fire Setting You may have seen the following poster in particular areas across Council. The Arson Reduction Team have been working hard on tackling arson across areas such as Aberavon Beach, Gnoll Park within Neath A Christmas fire safety message from Port Talbot. Mid a nd West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

If you have any information please report on the number above

A Christmas fire safety message from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service NEATH TOWN CENTRE

A special sub group meeting of the Safer Neath Port Talbot Community Safety Partnership took place again this month to agree a series of actions to address incidents of anti-social behaviour in Neath’s town centre. These further actions will address matters in the immediate term but the group also agreed to longer term strat egic plans, to ensure the issues do not continue or re-emerge.

The Community Safety Partnership was created under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and is co-chaired by the police and the council. The partnership usually meet on a quarterly basis but have been meeting virtually online and on a more frequent basis throughout the pandemic. Anti-Social Behaviour reduction is an ongoing priority area for the partnership.

The sub group meeting included representatives from the council and South Wales Police as well as representatives of areas including Waste Enforcement, Housing Options, Licensing, the Business Crime Reduction Partnership, and the Welsh Centre for Action on Dependency and Addiction (WCADA).

The sub group was updated on South Wales Police’s ‘Operation Lileum’ which was launched on Saturday, March 27th to help address issues of anti-social behaviour. The operation is progressing well with a number of dispersal orders, arrests and other actions taken.

The operation has seen increased police activity and high visibility patrols in the town centre throughout April and May.

The partnership welcomes the support of the public with its efforts to tackle any anti-social behaviour and asks that they report any issue of concern to South Wales Police by telephoning 101 or by emailing the force’s Public Service Centre via:

[email protected]. #NeathTogether

.

NITROUS OXIDE (LAUGHING GAS) CYLINDERS There are inc reasing amounts of Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) Cylinders being dumped in parks and on our streets. The silver canisters might look innocent enough but there are serious health concerns linked to taking the drug. Nitrous Oxide has several legitimate uses but when inhaled it can cause unconsciousness or death due to a lack of oxygen. Mixing alcohol with Nitrous Oxide can be fatal.

How our members can help

South Wales Police are requesting your help to gather intellegance of any particluar areas across our force area where any large quantities of these are being discarded. Ways to report

Phone: 101

CrimeStoppers confidential number 0800 555111

O nline: https://bit.ly/SWPReportOnline

Sign Post

If you know of anyone that could be using Nitrous Oxide please educate them and encourage them to stop immediately.

Further information and help is available from your local Welsh Centre for Action on Dependency and Addiction (WCADA) on the following numbers.

Neath—01639 620222 Port Talbot—01639 890863. E-Scoote r Safety

We are seeing a rise in the use of e-scooters in Neath Port Talbot.

It is important to be safe when riding an e-scooter and be cautious of other pedestrians too.

What is an e-scooter ? An e-scooter is an electric scooter which are powered by a motor which means that in the eyes of the law, it is classified as a ‘motor vehicle.’

This means you CANNOT ride an e-scooter on a public road, cycle path/lane or pavement in the UK. They are only currently legal to ride on private land with the landowner’s permission.

IMPORTANT SA FETY TOP TIPS Follow the law and only ride an e-scooter legally

Private Land Public road,Pavements cycle paths

Always wear a helmet No speeding when riding

Do not drive under Only ONE rider at a time the infulence

We want to ensure that children and parents/carers understand the dangers that e-scooters pose to both the rider and pedestrians! Some e-scooters can reach a high speed which could results in a collision. Ride safely for everyone’s safety! A message from Trading Standards

With spring here, many of us will be turning to working on improving the garden, particularly as lockdown allows meeting in private gardens and outdoor spaces. Consumers may want to hire businesses to carry FUTUREo uEt wVorkE oNn thTeirS ga r dens.

With this in mind Trading Standards want to remind residents of their rights in engaging workmen at their home.

“Doorstep” sales have extra protection for consumers. The tradesmen must give you cancellation rights almost every transaction is subject to a 14 day cooling off period for any work or goods more than £42 in value.

If the trader does not offer you these rights, we’d recommend that you do not purchase that service.

Consumers should be clear as to the work that they want done and should put it in in writing, don’t pay up front and pay by some traceable means where you can.

Carry out simple checks on line, such as seeing if the business is a member of a trade association, such as “Buy With Confidence. “

If you do have a problem, call Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133.

Twitter : @NPTTradingStds Facebook : @NptEnvHealthTradingStandards Instagram : npttradingstds

If you wish to receive this newsletter in Welsh or if you have any questions please contact us via [email protected] Safe Spaces

There has been much media and press attention in recent weeks regarding people’s safety on the streets and in public spaces. Safer Neath Port Talbot is keen to address concerns in our local communities and officers have recently met with key partners to develop an action plan. We will shortly be carrying out a survey with local residents to find out where people feel unsafe and will use these findings to introduce a series of initiatives aimed at making areas safer. Watch this space for further updates, as well as the survey, and look out for our new hashtag #NPTSafeSpaces to stay informed.

#NPTSafeSpaces

We will be back out in the community soon!

We are now able to start engaging with paws members and members of the public in a covid safe way. In the very near future we will be visiting Vivian Park, Taib ach Memorial Park,

and Baglan Park.

Planning has started for engagements in other areas such as Pontaradwe, Neath and the Afan Valley.

Please keep an eye out on our Facebook page for further details. If you wish to receive this newsle tter in Welsh or if you have any questions please contact us via [email protected]