Madeleine Moon MP

Madeleine Moon MP - Working hard for Bridgend

Home Secretary Visits Bridgend

Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, Visits Bridgend.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith made a visit to Bridgend today to see for herself the excellent partnership work between statutory, faith and voluntary bodies, working to keep people safe when out drinking in Bridgend Town Centre.

The Home Secretary described how she had been grabbed in the corridors of Westminster by local MP Madeleine Moon who had insisted that she visit Bridgend to see the Street Pastors and the Triage Centre operating out of Hope Chapel in Derwen Road.

Superintendent Tim Jones used an aerial photograph of Bridgend to indicate the layout of Pubs, takeaway food outlets and some ‘pinch points’ where problems can arise when people are drinking and socialising at night.

During the meeting the Home Secretary was shown by Gerallt Davies, Commissioner, South Wales Region, St Johns Ambulance, the range of equipment they use to provide first aid and heard how the service was reducing pressure on the Accident and Emergency Services at the Princess of Wales Hospital.

Ron Fairfax, Street Pastor, explained how the Street Pastor scheme had been initiated by Pastor Mark Thomas who unfortunately was unable to be present.

Madeleine Moon commended the Street Pastors to the Home Secretary especially for their work with vulnerable youngsters who are often found by the Street Pastors when out on patrol between 10pm and 4am.

Councillor Mel Nott, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council and Chief Executive Dr Jo Farrar along with John Davies of the Community Safety Partnership talked about the importance of partnership working in reducing crime and public order offences in the town centres.

In thanking the Home Secretary for making the visit Madeleine said

“The visit was important both to demonstrate the innovative and creative work taking place in Bridgend, but also to say thank you to all of those who give their time and commitment to making Bridgend a safer place to live.”