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Anger at meeting over gang attack Anger at meeting over gang attack
(about 8 hours later)
Around 250 residents turned up at a meeting of Pontarddulais Town Council near Swansea to voice their concerns about anti-social behaviour.Around 250 residents turned up at a meeting of Pontarddulais Town Council near Swansea to voice their concerns about anti-social behaviour.
The meeting on Wednesday evening was held in response to an attack on 56-year old resident Peter Matthews.The meeting on Wednesday evening was held in response to an attack on 56-year old resident Peter Matthews.
He was treated for severe head injuries after he got out of bed to confront a gang of youths making noise.He was treated for severe head injuries after he got out of bed to confront a gang of youths making noise.
After an angry response from residents, the meeting was changed to a public one so people could express their feelings.After an angry response from residents, the meeting was changed to a public one so people could express their feelings.
Residents became angry after being told they only had 15 minutes to put questions to the council and police.Residents became angry after being told they only had 15 minutes to put questions to the council and police.
The council meeting was suspended so officers could answer their questions.The council meeting was suspended so officers could answer their questions.
It was earlier this month, that Mr Matthews was left unconscious and bleeding in the street after asking a gang to quieten down outside his home. He has since been released from hospital and is recovering at home.It was earlier this month, that Mr Matthews was left unconscious and bleeding in the street after asking a gang to quieten down outside his home. He has since been released from hospital and is recovering at home.
They're just damaging vehicles, smashing windows. There was a lot of emotion going on in that meeting Cllr Gail Bateman They're just damaging vehicles, smashing windows. There was a lot of emotion going on in that meeting Councillor Gail Bateman
Councillors and other residents took exception to comments from police last week that the attack was an "isolated incident".Councillors and other residents took exception to comments from police last week that the attack was an "isolated incident".
They contacted BBC Wales and other local media with examples of other incidents.They contacted BBC Wales and other local media with examples of other incidents.
Police chiefs stressed the issue of anti-social behaviour was a priority, and have given out over 100 officers' mobile numbers so people can get in touch.Police chiefs stressed the issue of anti-social behaviour was a priority, and have given out over 100 officers' mobile numbers so people can get in touch.
Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Gail Bateman said: "There are real, major concerns because these youngsters are out, and they're getting drunk. Speaking after the meeting, councillor Gail Bateman said: "There are real, major concerns because these youngsters are out, and they're getting drunk.
"They're just damaging vehicles, smashing windows. There was a lot of emotion going on in that meeting.""They're just damaging vehicles, smashing windows. There was a lot of emotion going on in that meeting."
'Sense of feeling''Sense of feeling'
Resident Eiddwen Lewis said certain youngsters had "no respect for authority, for people's property or for people themselves".Resident Eiddwen Lewis said certain youngsters had "no respect for authority, for people's property or for people themselves".
"At last people are standing up to be counted and trying to do something about it. It shouldn't be happening," she added."At last people are standing up to be counted and trying to do something about it. It shouldn't be happening," she added.
Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias from South Wales Police also took questions from the residents.Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias from South Wales Police also took questions from the residents.
Residents were given the opportunity to question police
Afterwards he said: "I certainly had a sense of the feeling and concerns of the residents of Pontarddulais.Afterwards he said: "I certainly had a sense of the feeling and concerns of the residents of Pontarddulais.
"There was a lot of good information, a lot of good suggestions as to how we take things forward.""There was a lot of good information, a lot of good suggestions as to how we take things forward."
Mr Mathias called for residents to work with him to deal with the issues.Mr Mathias called for residents to work with him to deal with the issues.
Residents were given the opportunity to question police
He said: "People always say we need more police, short-term I am putting on more patrols, in but long-term that's not the answer.He said: "People always say we need more police, short-term I am putting on more patrols, in but long-term that's not the answer.
"I can never actually sustain that, and that's why again tonight I never made any promises.""I can never actually sustain that, and that's why again tonight I never made any promises."
Earlier in the week, the police had used Swansea's Evening Post newspaper to publish the names and work mobile phones of more than 50 community based constables and 60 police community support officers.Earlier in the week, the police had used Swansea's Evening Post newspaper to publish the names and work mobile phones of more than 50 community based constables and 60 police community support officers.
Police chiefs said the numbers were not for emergencies or incidents but for people to contact officers with any concerns.Police chiefs said the numbers were not for emergencies or incidents but for people to contact officers with any concerns.