Taxi Driver Online

South Wales Evening Post

June 14, 2007 Thursday

Cabbies help police close net on crime

Paul Lewis

A Fleet of crimefighters has taken to the road to help Swansea Valley police bring troublemakers to book.

Police now have an extra 30 pairs of eyes and ears on the streets thanks to the support of two local taxi firms.

The Pontardawe neighbourhood policing team has joined forces with Pontardawe Taxis and A&M Taxis for the crime-busting Taxi Watch campaign.

It has been driven forward by PCSO Mark Jones, who said: "Through Pact meetings and other forms of engagement we are trying to work with the community to make Pontardawe a safer place.

"The taxi companies will be extra eyes for us and I am extremely grateful for their support in getting this initiative off the ground."

Officers and taxi control rooms will work together, with police using taxi drivers to spread appeals for information via radios and drivers feeding back information about crime and suspicious or anti-social behaviour.

Police believe the cabbies will be able to help with many low-level crimes and incidents.

Mike James, owner of Pontardawe Taxis and local Neath Port Talbot councillor, said: "I fully support the Taxi Watch scheme and I am pleased to be involved in supporting the police in this initiative.

"It is important the community works hand in glove with police and this launch follows on from Pub Watch scheme which is already proving a big success in Pontardawe."

A&M Taxis manager Emma Evans added: "We hope it will make Pontardawe safer.

"Between the two companies we have more than 30 cars on the road at any one time so we aim to give the police as much coverage as possible."

Sector Inspector Jeff Handley said: "I am delighted to have these extra eyes and ears to assist us in crime prevention and detection.

"I value the support from the two taxi companies and I would like to thank them both for their commitment to this initiative which will make Pontardawe a safer place to live and work."
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I suspect the firms aren't that interested in just thanks, they simply want help when they need it.

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IDFIMH