Commissioner secures new funding to strengthen safety and support in communities

The Commissioner is pleased to announce that she has secured significant funding through the Police Property Act Fund to strengthen the progress we are making to keep our communities safe.

This investment will support a new place-based approach, bringing together policing, partners and targeted investment in the communities experiencing the highest levels of crime, antisocial behaviour and harm.

Police & Crime Commissioner Emma Wools said:

“Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live. Residents often tell me how important it is to feel secure, confident reporting concerns, and assured that organisations are working together to support their families.

This investment will allow us to build on the successes delivered to date and invest directly into our communities, strengthening safety and support where it is needed most.  We know that a small number of areas account for a large proportion of crime and anti-social behaviour, which is why this focused approach works.

It is important to reflect on what has worked well and how we can build on it. The recent ‘Winter of Action’ initiative is a strong example, with partners proactively working together to tackle crime during one of the busiest times of the year.

Their efforts delivered real, measurable results.

Across 11 town centres, and all within December and January, we delivered:

• 2,800 extra hours of policing and partnership activity.
• 52 hours of live facial recognition deployment.

And the results speak for themselves:

• 866 arrests made
• 48% reduction in retail burglaries
• 12% drop in violent crime
• 14% reduction in anti‑social behaviour
• 50% fewer bicycle thefts
• 37 illegal e‑bikes seized.

This is exactly why it’s been important to me that I secure future investment to ensure this work continues. When an initiative delivers tangible results, it’s vital that we build on that success.

I hope this also provides reassurance to our communities that we are acting on the priorities you have told me that matter most, as set out in my Police, Crime and Justice Plan, and that this work aligns directly with South Wales Police’s commitment to prevention and early intervention in their Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan.

Over the coming months, we will be refining our approach, working with partners to ensure this funding is targeted where it will have the greatest impact.

In May, the Commissioner will set out clearly how the Safer Places Partnership Fund will be accessed and used to support safer communities across South Wales.