Published date: 19 November 2016 |
Published by: Staff reporterRead more articles by Staff reporterEmail reporter
The behaviour displayed at a main bus station is turning people away from the main town in North East Wales.
That is the message from a community councillor for a rural village in Wrexham county borough.
Cllr John L Jenkins, who represents Glyn Tryant ward on Glyn Ceiriog Community Council, frequently uses Wrexham bus station for work and says he is shocked at the presence of drug dealing and using and anti-social behaviour at the bus station on King Street.
Cllr Jenkins said it was a particular concern for people coming from Chester by bus as King Street was the first thing they saw upon arriving at the town.
He once arrived by bus with his young son who had seen people under the influence of drugs and asked him “what's wrong with those people?”
Cllr Jenkins added that in recent weeks, the police presence had been stepped up in the area which he said was “good for everyone”, but it was still an issue of concern.
He said: “I have seen people doing hardcore drugs in there. PCSOs have been sent, but these idiots know that PCSOs cannot do as much.
“Wrexham is trying to advertise itself for people to come and see the shops, but this does not look good.
“Coming from Chester, it’s (King Street Bus Station) also the first thing you see.”
He also said that in the past, he knew of CCTV cameras in the area that did not work and believes that offenders know which ones are not effective.
He said the recent increased police presence in the area is encouraging and also suggested a permanent British Transport Police (BTP) base in the bus station would also be an effective deterrent to drug users.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council’s lead member for communities and partnerships, said: “I can assure the councillor that CCTV cameras on the site are working, and when incidents are reported by operators we have seen prompt attendance by North Wales Police to the site.
“Police have also dealt with offenders appropriately and issued penalties where needed.
“We would also encourage members of the public who see any suspicious activity to report it to North Wales Police, using the 101 non-emergency reporting number.
“I would also note that the bus station falls under the town centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), and is subject to the same regulation.”
Town centre inspector Simon Kneale, of North Wales Police, added: “There has been a couple of reports of anti-social behaviour and drug use in the bus station.
“The area is covered under the PSPO and we will take positive action where we can evidence that conditions have been broken.
“We would encourage anyone that is witnessing or a victim of anti-social behaviour to call 101 so we can deploy officers to the area to deal with the matter as it is happening.”
http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/169265/drug-problem-at-wrexham-bus-station-is-turning-people-away-from-town-centre.aspx
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