MERTHYR Police moved swiftly after angry Troedyrhiw residents raised their voices over drugs and crime fears. More than 150 villagers flocked to a meeting at The Willows Centre following the setting-up of a group by Steve Young, which has now been re-named Neighbourhood Watch.
Police Chief Inspector Robert Williams pledged to redeploy some of his officers to Troedyrhiw- at least for a limited time.
And the next morning, the Police had a presence while mothers were taking their children to the community primary school.
At the meeting, parents complained about:
Young children frightened while drug-addicts were going to the chemist for their methadone.
Drug-dealers approaching Afon Taf High School pupils when the buses were arriving and departing on the west bank.
Money being handed over for drugs openly at the village square.
Residents of flats shouting from their windows to give their orders to drug-dealers.
Troedyrhiw people said heroin use was so prevalent that the village was called “Brown Town” and they feared Troedyrhiw was being used as a “dumping ground” for the drug-addicts.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, Alun Michael, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP Gerald Jones, local councillors Harvey Jones, Gareth Lewis and Brent Carter, Chris Binding, representing AM Huw Lewis, and drug-case workers and members of the teaching profession, and other Police officers.
Mr Michael said that in general, crime was going down but he was impressed at the big turn-out at the meeting. “We had a similar meeting in Cardiff and there weren’t half the number that are here.”
He urged people to report any incidents to 101, the Police non-emergency number.
He added:”We can’t leave everything to the Police. The public have a part to play. Together we can move mountains.”
The MP said that people in his village in the Rhymney Valley had also faced crime problems and wanted to re-claim their area for the community.
Insp Williams seemed surprised at the volume of complaints made. He said:” At PACT (Police and Communities Toigether) meetings, only councillors are usually present.”
One pensioner from the village said he had been a burglary victim and had since installed bars over windows at his home.
A woman pensioner said she was nervous going out in the night.
There was a call for needles to be collected safely after reports of them being found near the primary school and by the Square and other public places.
It was also suggested that methadone doses should be given after the children had got to school.
One woman said: “I was taking my children to school one morning and saw a bag of powder being handed over for a large amount of cash. I phoned 101 and the woman asked how did I know it was drugs..but I saw it.”
The Watch scheme members had wondered if CCTV cameras could be installed at “hot spots” but Coun Lewis said the cost of £30,000 would be too dear for the council.
Some residents said they had phoned 101 but often without a response.
The problem of speeding cars from the Aberfan area, at Bronheulog Terrace was also mentioned, There had already been a fatality there a few years ago.
It was agreed there would be a follow-up public meeting called by the Watch Villagers commented during the next days at seeing police in the village. The Watch membership rose from 540 to 657 after the meeting and is increasing again.
