New officer vows to beat disorder (From Free Press Series)

New officer vows to beat disorder

MEET the new face of policing in Trevethin.

Pc Mick Lumsden is the area's new ward officer.

The ex-army man will be permanently billeted in the police station situated at the area's main troublespot - Trevethin shops.

His appointment, along with the imminent arrival of a new CCTV system and dispersal notices giving police powers to move gangs on, is intended to be seen as a tough, comprehensive approach to disorder in the increasingly troubled area.

His appointment should mean an increased police presence as he will be dedicated to the area and nowhere else.

"There are disorder problems here. There are a lot of young people in the area," said Pc Lumsden.

As a ward officer, he has committed himself to the area for the next three years.

He has already made one arrest - late on Tuesday night he arrested one local man after finding burglary tools in his car.

"Most people up here just want to get on with their lives. I know I will get plenty of support.

"There are only a few causing problems and people know who they are but they aren't reporting it. They are afraid of reprisals.

"But when we start getting results, when they get used to seeing me around, their confidence in their police will grow and they'll talk to us more.

"And if we aren't doing well enough, people will certainly let me know. "I've been given an opportunity to commit myself to this area. I know most of the people already. I worked here before and I chose to come back.

'I want to be a friendly face for the community and a tough one for people causing problems.

"You don't come here to be liked."

He will be assisted by the two existing Police Support Officers.

Their role has already been criticised by many who say they have no powers.

"They have a very useful role to play," he countered.

"They can call for police to back them up straight away. They act as professional witnesses for us."

At the nearby Spar shop, which bears the brunt of many of the disorder problems, manager Jacqui Bridges gave a cautious welcome to the new regime.

"We must have a regular police officer in the area, as long as he is here is the evenings when everything happens.

"We'll have to wait and see how it works."

o The new CCTV system and dispersal notices are expected to be in place within the next two months.

Shopkeepers, police, councillors and Communities First - the organisation funding the scheme - are currently meeting to decide which system they want.