Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert: Local lockdown ” a devastating blow”

The whole of Caerphilly County Borough has been placed into a local lockdown due to rising cases of Covid-19.

As a Caerphilly resident I know just what a devastating blow this is to local residents.

Sadly, it appears that many people have ignored the clear advice on social distancing and this is a stark reminder that the virus is still very much with us.

At the moment, local businesses remain open, and friends and family can meet outdoors. We have not returned to the full lockdown that was implemented earlier in the year and if we all play our parts now we can hopefully avoid any further restrictions.

I would urge all residents to please follow the guidance from Welsh Government and public sector partners in the coming weeks to help us slow the spreading of the virus and keep our communities safe.

Recently I was fortunate enough to be able to make a socially distanced visit to one of our funded projects in Caerphilly.

Creazione in the Community was granted funding from my Police Community Fund to help tackle antisocial behaviour and prevent young people from getting involved in crime in the Lansbury Park area.

Like so many projects, most of their work has stopped during the pandemic but the team were able to keep their bike recycling project running – collecting, repairing and restoring old bikes which are then sold back at low cost to the community.

About ten young people have continued with the project during the lockdown and learning new skills that will help them in the future. Crucially these are young people that could otherwise be vulnerable to becoming involved with crime and antisocial behaviour.

Instead they are channelling their energy into positive activities and from those who I talked to, it was clear that the project was crucial to their mental health and wellbeing during this time.

My Community 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.

More details are available on my website: www.gwent.pcc.police.uk/en/what-we-spend/commissioning/tier-2-police-community-fund