Businessman wants action to tackle anti-social behaviour

* Young people jumping from the bridge into the river particularly concerns Mr Hennigan. 

A prominent Llangollen businessman has written to the heads of the police, local councils and the MP to demand urgent action to tackle what calls "increasing levels" of anti-social behaviour in the town.

David Hennigan, who is trust manager of Llangollen & Corwen Railway and a director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, says he is particularly concerned about the practice of young people jumping from the Castle Street bridge into the river, which he believes is not only highly dangerous but is also threatening the reputation of the town.

He has now laid out his concerns in a hard-hitting letter to the Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins, the chief executive of Denbighshire County Council and the clerk of Llangollen Town Council.

And he calls for a multi-agency approach to address the issues he raises.

Mr Hennigan writes: 

"Urgent action required to tackle anti-social behaviour and protect public safety in Llangollen

"I am writing to you in my capacity as Trust Manager of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway and as a Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Between us, these two organisations welcome many tens of thousands of visitors to Llangollen every year and are deeply committed to promoting the town as a safe, welcoming and vibrant destination.

"It is therefore with considerable concern that I write regarding the increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in the town, particularly around Llangollen Bridge and the River Dee. This is becoming an issue that is regularly raised by residents, local businesses, volunteers and visitors alike, and I believe it now requires a much stronger response.

"Of particular concern is the growing number of young people jumping from Llangollen's historic bridge into the River Dee. Whilst I appreciate that this has, for many years, been regarded by some as a local tradition, the scale and frequency of the activity has increased significantly. Large groups of young people are gathering throughout the day and evening, repeatedly climbing over the bridge parapets and jumping into the river with little regard for the obvious danger to themselves or others.

"This behaviour presents a clear danger to life. The bridge is an ancient structure, the River Dee can be unpredictable, and conditions beneath the bridge are far from risk-free. It feels increasingly inevitable that, unless meaningful action is taken, someone will suffer a serious injury or, worse still, lose their life.

"The consequences extend well beyond those taking part. Traffic regularly slows or comes to a standstill as motorists stop to watch or are forced to wait while groups gather on the bridge. This creates unnecessary congestion and increases the risk of accidents for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.

The behaviour is also having a detrimental impact on the appearance and reputation of Llangollen.

"Those congregating around the bridge are leaving behind litter, drinks bottles and other rubbish on the bridge itself and along the riverbank. Sadly, this often results in the blame being unfairly directed towards concertgoers attending events at the International Musical Eisteddfod Pavilion. That is deeply unfair to the many thousands of visitors who come to Llangollen to enjoy world-class cultural events, support local businesses and contribute positively to our local economy. 

"The actions of a relatively small number of individuals are damaging the reputation of the town and the organisations that work tirelessly to promote it.

Perhaps my greatest concern is the perception that this behaviour is taking place with apparent impunity. There is a widespread view within the community that North Wales Police is aware of what is happening, yet little or no intervention takes place. My understanding is that assurances were given that there would be increased police patrols around the bridge during the busy summer period.

"However, from what residents, businesses and local organisations are witnessing on the ground, those additional patrols do not appear to have materialised, or at the very least are not providing the visible reassurance that the community was expecting. I would therefore welcome clarification on what additional policing resources have been deployed, as the current position is doing little to reassure local people that this issue is being effectively addressed.

"I fully appreciate the pressures on policing resources and the competing demands placed upon officers. However, preventing a foreseeable tragedy and tackling persistent anti-social behaviour must surely remain a policing priority. Visible policing and appropriate enforcement would send a clear message that this behaviour is neither acceptable nor without consequence.

"I would also like to recognise the efforts of County Councillor Karen Edwards, who has been particularly vocal in raising these concerns on behalf of local residents. Her persistence in highlighting these issues is appreciated. However, this is not a challenge that any one elected member, organisation or agency can resolve alone. 

"It requires a coordinated, multi-agency response involving North Wales Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council and other relevant partners, working together with a shared commitment to improving public safety and protecting the town's reputation.

"I have copied this correspondence to Helen White, Chief Executive of Denbighshire County Council, County Councillor Karen Edwards and Becky Gittins MP because I believe this issue requires leadership and cooperation across all agencies and elected representatives. I would welcome the opportunity for all partners to come together to agree a practical action plan before a serious incident occurs.

"I would therefore be grateful if you could outline what additional steps North Wales Police intends to take during the busy summer period to address these issues, whether additional visible patrols can be deployed around the bridge, and what role the Police and Crime Commissioner's Office can play in supporting a coordinated response.

"Llangollen is one of North Wales' premier visitor destinations. It is home to internationally recognised events, a successful heritage railway, thriving tourism businesses and a proud local community. We should not have to wait for a fatality before decisive action is taken.

"The time for simply observing this behaviour has passed. What is needed now is visible policing, proactive enforcement and effective partnership working to restore public confidence, protect young people from harm and ensure that residents and visitors alike can continue to enjoy Llangollen safely.

"I look forward to your response and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further."