Plaid Call for Urgent Action on High Street Crime

Dr Dai Lloyd, Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for South Wales West has called upon Swansea Council to work with South Wales police in an attempt to reduce crime and improve the image of High Street in Swansea city centre. The area has become a known hotspot for drug problems and sex workers, and urgent action is needed from authorities says Dr Lloyd.

Dr Lloyd is so concerned about the problems facing residents and visitors on Swansea’s High Street and the negative impact on the city it has created, that he will be raising the issue with Deputy Minister, Jane Hutt AM in the Senedd tomorrow (Tuesday 10th December).

Dr Lloyd stated;

“I am extremely concerned about the reputation of my city going downhill because of this particular area of the city centre. I am incredibly proud to call Swansea my home, we have a wonderful city in a beautiful location, filled with fantastic people, but the problems on High Street are doing absolutely nothing for our reputation.

In recent months I’ve lost count of the amount of negative stories I’ve seen around High Street and the level of crime. Indeed in the months of September and October, 75 crimes were recorded around the High Street area. We’ve seen reports of drug misuse and sex workers soliciting in broad daylight. This is not acceptable in the area for what is, for many, their first impression of the city when they arrive at the train station.”

Dr Lloyd pointed to the Swansea High Street Summit held in July as a way to resolve issues faced on High Street, saying;

“We saw in July, multiple authorities and agencies coming together to focus on the issues faced by residents, visitors and traders on High Street, and we must see closer working between Swansea Council, South Wales Police and indeed Welsh Government to ensure problems are tackled as they arise and High Street becomes the vibrant, welcoming entrance to our city it should be.

I’ve been accused by the Labour party on numerous occasions of ‘talking Swansea down’, if they put half the effort they do in attacking my calls for investment into High Street, as they did actually improving the situation, then I’m sure we wouldn’t have half as many of the problems we do now.”