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Jeff Cuthbert is the police and crime commissioner for Gwent. He represents Labour.

I would like to start this month’s column by paying tribute to Olivia Pratt-Korbel, the nine-year-old girl from Liverpool who was fatally shot on August 23.

She was killed when a man being chased by a gunman forced his way into her home. At the time of writing this column the exact details of the case are still unknown but it appears to be linked to serious and organised crime.

I would like to reassure residents that, as horrific as this case is, crimes like this remain a rarity. Caerphilly remains an extremely safe place to live and visit.

My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Olivia’s friends and family at this most awful of times.

I was fortunate to visit several community events in Caerphilly with my team over the summer.

We attended family fun days in Morgan Jones Park and Springfield, a community safety session in Blackwood town centre, and had a stand at the Bedwellty Show.

As Police and Crime Commissioner it is my job to engage with communities. These events are ideal opportunities to meet and speak with large numbers of residents and they help me to understand what the important local issues are.

I was particularly pleased to hear a lot of positive feedback about Gwent Police officers and community support officers from Caerphilly residents.

The demand on the police this summer has been huge. A combination of the hot weather, and life returning to normal following the pandemic, has meant that they have been dealing with levels of demand only usually seen at key times of the year such as New Year’s Eve.

I would like to thank all Gwent Police officers and staff, and all of our emergency service workers serving Caerphilly, for their hard work keeping communities safe during this very busy time.

Applications are now open for my 2023/24 community fund.

This fund is open to non-profit organisations that support children and young people who are involved, or at risk of becoming involved, in crime and antisocial behaviour, or those who have been victims of crime.

By supporting organisations that offer positive, diversionary activities for young people, helping them to develop confidence, skills and learning, we can help them to realise their full potential and create safer, more cohesive communities.

The deadline for applications is Friday, September 16. For more information visit gwent.pcc.police.uk 

The Chief Constable and I are reviewing our joint estate strategy to make sure that Gwent Police’s premises are fit to deliver modern day policing services.

As part of this review we want to know what people in Caerphilly think about local policing facilities. This will help us to shape a strategy that will allow us to better protect communities, while also delivering value for money for residents.

Please take some time to compete the survey: bit.ly/3OeKOLI