Community Engagement Roundup A p r i l - J u l y 2 0 2 1 Community Young Voices Upcoming Walkabouts Conversation Engagement An overview of Community Updates from the Young A look at u pcoming Walkabouts Voices Local Conversations engagement activities in Neath and Grangetown and Regional Forum Community Walkabouts Neath Town Centre The Commissioner visited Neath town centre on Tuesday 29th June 2021, following concerns raised to the Commissioner about increased incidents in anti-social behaviour in the town centre. The Commissioner was accompanied by MP Christina Rees, Councillor Leanne Jones and Local Policing Inspector Matthew Otteson. Whilst speaking to local businesses, comments were made about the number of people who were visibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol in the town centre. Social media was also referred to as the main platform, which was frequently used to fuel negative perceptions and often misrepresented the scale of problems. The Commissioner also visited the Ambassador Hotel, to understand how the efforts of partnership working had provided a safe space for homeless people to receive temporary housing and access to support services. Currently, there were 37 homeless people receiving support at the Ambassador hotel. In response to recent anti-social behaviour related incidents, police officers had increased foot patrols around the town centre and continued to work closely with local organisations and community representatives to address ongoing issues. Local officers were also aware of community tensions relating to plans to permanently locate the Salvation Army. Local businesses and residents were concerned that the individuals seeking support from the Salvation Army, often congregated in the town centre to drink and subsequently this led to anti-social behaviour. Grangetown The Commissioner visited Grangetown on Wednesday 7th July 2021 and was accompanied by local councillor Ashley Lister and Police Officer Mark Moynihan. The Commissioner was keen to visit Grangetown following the Safer Streets funding to tackle local crime and anti-social behaviour, which the Commissioner and Cardiff Council had successfully secured for the Grangetown & Butetown communities Local concerns discussed with the Commissioner included knife crime, drugs, and substance misuse. The lack of police visibility was also noted. Whilst residents saw PCSOs on patrol, they felt that police officers or higher ranked officers should be more visible, as they had greater powers. Officers also informed us of the anti-social behaviour ‘hot spots’ in the area and plans in place to address these concerns. The Commissioner visited the Grangetown Pavilion and met with staff to find out how recent investments to improve and expand the pavilion had provided communities with a communal hub to enjoy and develop local projects. We also spoke to some young people visiting the pavilion to understand how they utilised the space and their views on the activities available locally for young people. Young Voices Conversation As part of our Young Voices Conversation, the Commissioner's team and South Wales Police have been hosting local conversations between May – June 2021. We were pleased to have held 27 local conversations during this period, with over 500 young people engaging in local conversations and over 300 taking part in our digital questionnaire. The main topics we asked young people for their feedback on included: what worries them where they live how the police can help them feel safer and more confident to report their ideas on creating youth friendly content A summary of feedback received and ideas shared with us is available here On Wednesday 30th June, we held our Young Voices Regional Forum. The aim of this forum was to encourage young people to share their findings and ideas on the issues discussed at local conversations. Discussions on this occasion mainly focussed on young people's policing and community safety concerns and how they felt the police could help them feel safer and more confident to report. Young people attending represented different locations across the force area and provided a summary of the key issues raised in their local area. They presented their feedback to our panel members, who were senior leaders in the police and public sector and were interested in listening and hearing from young people about the issues important to them and their ideas for positive change. A summary of discussions from this forum is available here A feedback session will take place in September, where young people will hear directly from the panel members about how they intend to take on board their feedback and ideas. Upcoming Engagement Activity - 2021 September October November Young Voices Feedback Session Community Walkabout in Rhondda Community Walkabout in Bridgend Community Walkabout in Swansea Virtual Community Conversation in Virtual Community Conversation in Rhondda Cynon Taff Bridgend Virtual Community Conversation in Swansea Facebook Live Session – Speeding Young Voices Regional Forum Cardiff Anime and Gaming Con & dangerous driving Facebook Live Session - Mental Facebook Live Session – Drugs, Health substance misuse & alcohol related crime and disorder Our Police, Our Community Consultation.