Targeted police effort is helping vulnerable residents in Wrexham's Offa ward

The Leader reported recently on the Offa October initiative, which aims to tackle crime in the ward, as well as Operation Blue Instinct, an operation to protect people from 'twilight burglaries' in Offa and Esclusham.

As the efforts of officers continue, we caught up with Sgt Matt Subacchi and PC Dave Smith to find out exactly what measures officers are putting in place and how successful they have been so far.

Sgt Subacchi explained a number of burglaries happened in Offa last year and there have been concerns about drugs offences, as well as the targeting of vulnerable residents.

Police have responded with a big push in a number of areas, including much more high-visibility patrolling throughout the ward.

The Wrexham town team has also been using social media a lot to engage with the public and to pass on useful tips on crime prevention and safety.

By working with partner agencies, the team has also put a big emphasis on protecting vulnerable residents who may have been targeted, or at risk of being targeted, by organised criminals and county lines drug gangs, as well as rogue traders.

So far there have been two closure notices imposed by officers on properties in Offa, which have been followed up with help from various agencies to ensure the residents affected are supported going forwards.

PC Smith is a Community Beat Manager for Offa and Esclusham, as is his PC Lucia Pritchard.

They have been encouraging residents to establish Neighbourhood Watch Groups, which they strongly feel helps to disrupt and deter criminals.

Officers have also been going round the ward in the evening checking for unlit houses, then leaving information for residents about ways to deter criminals such as using light timers, TV simulators and window alarms.

Such devices have also been made available to residents via the police thanks to funding from Offa Community Council as part of the partnership between the two organisations.

Speaking about the engagement with the public, Sgt Subacchi said: "We're followed by 4,000 people on social media.

"This is a great, modern way to engage with the community and show them that we're there.

"Residents have a lot more confidence now and they are signing up, and engaging with us far more.

"We have done two closure orders so far and we're in the process of applying for further orders.

"If you're living in Offa and you're being targeted, we are going to do everything we can to ensure that you don't become a victim of crime."

Speaking to the offenders the scheme aims to deter, he said: "If you're here in Offa to deal drugs or engage in criminality we will target you and take positive action against you."

The ward has also recently been visited by Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones and Chief Constable Carl Foulkes who spoke of their support for the schemes.

PC Dave Smith said: "We wanted to have this specific operation to prevent burglaries and protect vulnerable residents who are targeted by opportunists.

"To achieve that we work with partners such as the council, Trading Standards, Age UK, Crimestoppers - it is about safeguarding people and preventing them from being targeted.

"We have also had a lot of support from Offa Community Council.

"With the support of the National OWL (Online Watch Link) scheme we are encouraging people to start a Neighbourhood Watch Group.

"Historically there's a misconception that this is about nosy neighbours and that it means a lot of work - but that's not the case."

PC Smith said communities as small as individual roads can set up their own private Facebook group to alert one another to any suspicious behaviour, or share crime prevention information from police or other organisations.

"Since Blue Instinct started we have had two watch groups created," PC Smith continued.

"These schemes really do help reduce crime and encourage neighbours to look out for one another.

"There have also been concerns in Offa about drug activity, but we have had a successful warrant recently where controlled class A drugs and cash were recovered from a property and that was led by community intelligence.

"We really need the assistance of the public - if there's something you're concerned about, report it on 101 or through Crimestoppers."

Speaking of the overall efforts in Offa, he said: "It has been very successful and impactive.

"The message is clear; we are going to be robust and take positive action against those who come to Offa to cause criminality."

For more information about setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Group, visit: https://www.owl.co.uk/

Residents are also encouraged to follow the social media accounts of North Wales Police, and the Wrexham Town social media, which posts advice and updates on work in Offa and other wards.