Pact to take on criminals (From Barry And District News)

Pact to take on criminals

A HIGHLY effective crime-blitzing scheme, which has only been running in Barry for a few months, is looking forward to an even more successful New Year.

Dave Sharpe, the newly elected chairman of Pact (Preventing Antisocial Crime Together), said that more and more businesses in the town have been joining the scheme, which links businesses up to one another via a radio network.

This, he hopes, will lead to a dramatic reduction in business-related crime and a zero-tolerance attitude towards offenders.

Several arrests have already been made and convictions secured against offenders, and their names and photographs have been included in the photo files.

These files are distributed to Pact members, allowing them to identify criminals.

Mr Sharpe is keen to emphasise, particularly to companies where cost would be an issue, that membership to Pact is totally 100 percent tax-free.

The scheme has now extended to Marks and Spencer in Culverhouse Cross, and is linked with similar schemes in Penarth and Cowbridge.

Mr Sharpe said: "In the New Year we are looking to target the problem of under age drinking and antisocial behaviour.

"But above all I hope to see Pact continue going to the people for the people.

"The scheme is being self-driven at the moment and it has made a noticeable difference since it started up."

A full-time coordinator for Pact will be sought in the New Year, with the scheme becoming "quite a package".

Mr Sharpe praised Pact's current committee for their hard work, and the police for their support.