Wrexham Labour apologise over tweet criticising police safety measure plans

Wrexham Labour have apologised after a tweet criticising measures police were taking to reduce crime in the town.

They had responded to a Facebook post by Plaid Cymru candidate Carrie Harper about a police and council consultation on closing alleyways in order to deter crime.

“Plaid Cymru’s answer to rising crime? Close alleyways… groundbreaking stuff,” Wrexham Labour tweeted.

“Maybe Carrie could ask her mate the Plaid Cymru North Wales PCC Arfon Jones to redeploy more police to the area? There’s a thought.”

But the bid to close alleyways was part of a £550,000 Safer Streets Fund project awarded to Queensway in Wrexham by the Home Office.

Wrexham Labour’s tweet was criticised by Plaid Cymru who said that Labour in Wrexham were having a “pop at the police for improving safety in Caia Park”.

Two days later Wrexham Labour posted a follow up tweet saying that they “would like to apologise for this tweet and retract what was said.

“We obviously got this wrong and wish to make it clear that we will continue to support measures, and work with all stakeholders, to make all of our communities safer and better for everyone.”

Wrexham Labour would like to apologise for this tweet and retract what was said. We obviously got this wrong and wish to make it clear that we will continue to support measures, and work with all stakeholders, to make all of our communities safer and better for everyone. https://t.co/kKHd4MgYaz

— Wrexham Labour Party (@WRX_Labour) December 5, 2020

 

Crime

The £550,000 Safer Streets Fund project awarded to Queensway will be used to:

• Increase CCTV and ANPR coverage
• Improve natural surveillance within the area through the provision of new lighting and upgrade of existing lighting.
• Provide alley gating to control access to identified alleys.
• Demolish garage blocks, replacing them with car parking area (subject to planning permission).
• Provide additional fencing outside of those currently being funded by the Borough Council.
• Deliver and install 870 burglary crime prevention packs to residents whose properties are vulnerable to rear entry.
• Train community wardens and volunteers to allow the residents to take action themselves to prevent crime.
• An Environmental Fund.

A consultation on the plans to close alleyways is open here.