Police appeal for help to combat spate of crime at Gilwern
Abergavenny Chronicle - 6 February 2003
GILWERN’S new community police officer, has appealed to local residents to help end the crime wave which
has seen thousands of pounds worth of damage caused to the village’s community education centre in recent months.
“Help me to help you” said PC Tracey Quirk, who was recently appointed as community officer for
Gilwern, Govilon, Llanelly Hill and Clydach.
The Community Education Centre, which is home to a wide variety of courses and clubs, has been attacked by
vandals on numerous occasions - the latest on Saturday night when automatic door sensors were ripped out.
“Gilwern is a vibrant centre with almost 200 members entering the building every week but recently we have
had to cancel some activities indefinitely because of health and safety issues relating to the vandalism,” said
community education officer and site manager, Gail Morgan.
“This is a wonderful amenity for the village of Gilwern and it would be a shame if activity were to be curtailed
because of the actions of just a few people,” added PC Quirk.
Police attribute many of the attacks on the centre to the groups of youths who congregate there for underage
drinking sessions and Abergavenny’s Det Sergeant Howard Salmon issued a stark warning to youths and
the local people believed to be selling the alcohol.
“The genuine people who want to use this facility are being put off by the continual damage, rowdiness and
general misbehaviour of a few people, whose actions could eventually lead to the loss of these facilities for everyone.
“I would like to assure the people of Gilwern that inquiries are being made to identify the offenders
and also to trace the suppliers of the drink which appears to be the source of the trouble,”
said Det Sgt Salmon.
PC Quirk said that she planned to maintain a high profile in Gilwern in an effort to help bring an end to
vandalism at the centre.
“It is important that people know about the problems, so that if anyone sees any suspicious activity around
the centre, they can contact me or my colleagues at Abergavenny,” she said.
“People in the village are very supportive but I would appeal to anyone with any information about the damage to contact me - I
can’t do my job without the help of residents.”
PC Quirk is also keen to hear from anyone interested in starting Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the
village and can be contacted at Gilwern police station on 01873 832219.
