RESIDENTS have called for new ideas on policing after a surge in serious crime.
A copper water tank, four alloy wheels stolen from a garden on Llawr Pentre, a burglary at a home on Llanelian Road and underage drinking in Min Y Don Park are just some of the main incidents in Old Colwyn over the last 31 days, according to a report by the neighbourhood policing team.
But a lack of communication regarding the crimes at the time they were committed has prompted members of Old Colwyn (East) Residents Association to urge police to be more “proactive than reactive”.
Secretary Monty Slocombe, said: “Policing now seems to have reached total reactivity, with no proactive element whatsoever. We now see the police working from ‘hubs’ responding to calls in what can only be described now as military uniform, in black, and apparently armed to the teeth.
“Before the advent of organised policing, the system of ‘hue and cry’ existed where it was the duty of every citizen to pursue a felon.
“I suggest that there could be a modern approach to ‘hue and cry’ using the sophisticated means of communication we now have at our disposal.”
Mr Slocombe said he was disappointed that few house to house inquiries were made following burglaries, and said that there was a poor response by police to calls regarding crimes witnessed by residents.
He said: “Is it beyond the realms of modern technology to have at a centre point of every community a screen giving details of the latest crimes occurring in their community? We sometimes see this after a serious road crash. Why can’t it work for crime and disorder?
“Here in Old Colwyn, we have moved forward. Local officers supply us with information of serious crime monthly via e mail and this is appreciated.
“However, could this be expanded? I believe it could. News of an event weeks afterwards is of little use.
“It seems to be a common feeling throughout the country now that the police are losing contact with the public.”
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