Police boss appoints first slavery victim support officer

A police boss is stepping up his campaign against modern slavery with the appointment of the UK's first support officer dedicated to helping victims.

Tackling the "insidious" issue has been made a priority by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones (pictured) and will be central to his new blueprint for policing the region.

The post of Victim Support Officer is being funded by Mr Jones and the successful candidate will be based at the North Wales Victim Help Centre which is a one-stop-shop for victims of all crimes.

The centre covers the whole of North Wales and is based at divisional police HQ in St Asaph.

It brings together the support services of North Wales Police, the Witness Care Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the former Victim Support organisation.

Each victim receives a response specifically tailored to their situation and the centre also employs specialists in mental health and hate crime.

The commissioner said: “Modern slavery and human trafficking are appalling and callous crimes which reach right into our society here in North Wales which is why I have made it one of my priorities in my Police and Crime Plan which sets the strategy for policing the area.

“It is vital to increase public awareness of one of the most insidious crimes faced by society and we are working hard with our partners to expose and tackle this crime, protect its victims and bring offenders to justice.

“To do this we need the communities of North Wales to support us, to look out for evidence of it and to contact the police if you have concerns.”

It was a view supported by Detective Inspector Gary Kelly, the North Wales Police's specialist on the scourge of modern slavery, who warned that modern slavery and human trafficking were a threat in the region.

Last year North Wales Police mounted two major investigations into modern slavery and safeguarded 17 people – but gathering evidence from frightened victims is difficult.

According to DI Kelly, the force had safeguarded 60 persons from Modern Day Slavery and trafficking in the last 12 months.

He said: “It is a challenge. The victims can be affected by language barriers and by self-blame and are often people being held under duress or coerced

“It’s difficult to gain their trust because they often come from countries where police forces are corrupt or don’t operate at the level that the police do in the UK.

“The seriousness of the problem has been recognised in North Wales and in great part that is because of Arfon Jones and we are looking to appoint a victim support officer which would be unique and has never been done before.

“Dealing with modern slavery is a challenge but we are lucky to have a Police and Crime Commissioner and Police Executive who are passionate about it because this crime doesn’t always get that level of support and scrutiny elsewhere.

“We do have significant challenges ahead of us but we are heading in the right direction.

“Much of the problem is linked to the victim care issue because if you lose the victim then it significantly affects the investigation.”

He said that modern slavery and human trafficking in North Wales can be linked to Ireland but with North Wales as a thoroughfare, through the port of Holyhead, to the North West of England and a complicating factor was that many victims were being brought in and out of the area on a daily basis.

North Wales Police currently have seven investigations under way.

DI Kelly said: “You have to question whether people who drive into a car wash or visit a nail bar wonder how they can get full valet for £4.50 – the answer is pretty straightforward.

“We need to start asking these difficult questions because there’s exploitation taking place here.”

* North Wales Police has further information on its modern slavery website at www.north-wales.police.uk/advice-and-support/stay-safe/modern-slavery.aspx.

If you suspect slavery is happening near you please report it to police on 101, anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700 or BAWSO on 08007318147. The victim help service is available from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

It can be contacted by Freephone on 0300 3030159, by email at: northwales.helpcentre@victimsupport.org.uk, or via the websites www.victimhelpcentrenorthwales.org.uk or www.canolfangymorthiddioddefwyrgogleddcymru.org.uk

Jades re-opens after months of repair work

* The Jades team don their shades against the light

after months in the dark as repair work went ahead.

Jades Hair and Beauty Salon in Llangollen has re-opened its beauty rooms after disaster struck its premises last November.
 
The salon has added a newly revamped first floor beauty room offering the latest nail, beauty and make-up treatments.

However, it was a very different story four months ago. 

Having started the first phase of redevelopment with their ground floor hair salon in summer 2016, owners and sisters Louise Wilson and Sue Davies were delighted that the work was completed in time for the hectic Christmas season.

But just two weeks later a vehicle ploughed into the salon causing major structural damage to the property. Miraculously nobody was injured in the incident. 

The salon had to be underpinned and the building was shrouded in hoarding. Business continued as usual whilst a taskforce of builders, insurers and the Jades team set about another refurbishment programme. 

Louise and Sue brought their phase two development plans forward. They decided to refurbish the first floor beauty rooms with nail bars and make-up stations at the same time as the structural repairs.

They quickly adapted their business plan and continued to run the hair salon with the builders on site.

Louise said: “Our dedicated staff were relying on us to keep our nerve and make the best out of the situation. It was certainly far from ideal but we are not quitters and we were heading towards one of our busiest trading periods in the run up to Christmas. 

“We owed it to our loyal customers to keep going and continue to offer them the usual high standard of service. I’m delighted to say we pulled it off but it wasn’t without the support and kindness from friends, family, clients and complete strangers, and of course a few sleepless nights.

“We were overwhelmed by the messages of goodwill we received. Llangollen has a real community spirit and this shone through when things got tough for us."
 
Sue said: “We were truly humbled by all the good wishes we received from residents and businesses alike. Out of difficult situations often comes good. We re-evaluated our plans and decided to bring our entire refurbishment plan forward by nine months. 

“It was the right decision and we are now delighted we can offer clients an exclusive area to relax and enjoy their pamper sessions with nail stations and make-up areas that complements our ground floor hair salon.”

County plans tourism forum event

A  forum set up to keep tourism businesses up to date with the latest developments in the industry takes place this May.

Wales Tourism Week, Dark Skies, Year of Legends and the importance of Denbighshire to the regional tourism offer of North Wales are all on the agenda.

The forum takes place on Tuesday, May 9 at the Oriel House, St Asaph at 11am.

The event offers a great opportunity for delegates to network and share experiences, knowledge and ideas.

Peter McDermott, Denbighshire County Council’s Tourism Manager said: “This will be our 12^th forum and they are a great way to meet like-minded people and find out more about getting involved in promoting the area to visitors.

"We’re entering the peak season and this is a key event, not only for tourism businesses but for anyone with an interest in tourism specifically students and those looking for a career in the industry.”

Wales Tourism Week takes place from May 15-21 to raise the profile of the tourism industry and to highlight its huge revenue generating value. The theme this year will focus on the opportunities it provides for jobs and careers.

Key Speaker, Adrian Barsby, from Wales Tourism Alliance coordinators of Wales Tourism Week, said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to speak at Denbighshire Tourism Forum.

“Wales Tourism Week provides a platform for all of us involved within tourism and the wider visitor economy to celebrate the wonderful and varied career opportunities available throughout the myriad of companies and organisations that give visitors to Wales and Denbighshire lasting memories and inspiration to return time and time again whilst learning about and experiencing Wales unique, culture, history, landscapes and of course legends.”

Key speaker Jim Jones, Managing Director North Wales Tourism, said: “I’m delighted to be invited to share the work that is going on in Denbighshire and the wider region of North Wales.

"Denbighshire is a special place and key to its thriving tourism sector is investment in good quality marketing campaigns, continued investment by the private sector and joined up collaboration, these type of forums play a crucial role in recognising this work.”

* To book a place at the forum please e-mail: tourism@denbighshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01824 706223.

Plaid Cymru selects general election candidate

* Plaid Cymru candidate Chris Allen with party leader Leanne Wood.

Plaid Cymru have selected an engineer from Trevor to be their candidate for Clwyd South in the general election on June 8.

Father of two Chris Allen was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and works at Mail Solutions in Llangollen.

His wife, Rachel, is a teacher at Ysgol Dinas Bran, and her family live in Chirk.

Mr Allen said: “This election is an opportunity for the people of this area to say that it’s about time that their voice was heard. Wales has been ignored for far too long.

“My focus as your MP would be to ensure that Wales, and this part of Wales especially, is not ignored and gets the best possible deal out of the UK’s Brexit discussions with the EU.”

Mr Allen said that the fact that he was born in England and not Welsh speaking showed that Plaid Cymru was a party for everyone: “Some people tell me that they like Plaid Cymru but because they don’t speak Welsh they feel that they can’t support the party.

"I find that amusing because I’m from England and I’m not a Welsh speaker. But Wales is my home and I want the best for my community. The only party that puts the interests of our communities here first is Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales. Plaid Cymru is for everyone who lives in Wales and I’m a perfect example of that.

“I came to live here 20 years ago and have worked for both Wrexham Council and run my own business. I can see how Wales is being ignored by the Government in London. We desperately need a strong voice to put the interests of Wales and its people first, not just tow the party line that’s only interested in London and the south-east of England.”

Plaid leader Leanne Wood welcomed Chris Allen’s candidacy.

She said: “Chris is an engaging and warm person, who is committed to standing up for his community and Wales. We both know that Plaid Cymru is the only party that will fight for Wales and speak up for the Welsh national interest, for jobs and the economy. We desperately need an alternative to challenge the Tories, who would devastate our communities. I wish Chris all the best in the elections on June 8.”

Trading standards warns over scam emails

Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning residents and businesses to be on their guard against scam emails requesting payment of an invoice.

The warning comes after reports of businesses receiving a link to an invoice from emails that may appear genuine but do not come from a genuine Denbighshire County Council email address. 

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire’s Public Protection Manager, said: “This appears to be a national scam or at least a variation on similar events reported nationally. 

"Our advice is to ignore the email and do not click on any links in any emails you do not know the origin of or are not expecting.   

“All invoices are generated and issued by post through our preferred supplier.  Any copy invoices requested are sent as pdf attachments, are clearly visible in the email and do not appear as links.”

* Anyone who thinks they have been scammed, or knows someone who has fallen victim to a scam, can contact Trading Standards on 03454 04 05 06, for the Welsh language or 03454 04 05 05, or report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk

Tories select Baynes to fight Clwyd South

Simon Baynes has been chosen as the Welsh Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd South, which includes Llangollen

The selection was held on Wednesday night at the Brymbo Conservative Club.

Afterwards, he said: “It is a great honour to be selected as the Welsh Conservative candidate for Clwyd South.

"I have been involved in campaigning on local issues in the constituency for some time, having stood as the Welsh Conservative Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South last year. I am looking forward to delivering on the issues that matter to the residents of the area.”

A keen musician, Mr Baynes (pictured) founded and runs the charity Concertina – Music for the Elderly, which helps provide music and other entertainment for the elderly in care homes and day centres.

Having grown up in the hotel industry, he says he is particularly interested in tourism and the hospitality industry and sees both as essential to the economy of Clwyd South.

He wants to see the creation of more sustainable jobs and better mobile phone signal in the area.

He has also campaigned against the closure of local banks.

Mr Baynes added: “This election is vital and we need it now to secure the strong and stable leadership the UK needs under Theresa May to see us through Brexit and beyond.”

MP raises questions over Welsh farmers

Susan Elan Jones MP has accused Conservatives of not listening to the voices of Welsh farmers and rural communities.

The Clwyd South Labour MP (pictured) was questioning Tory Secretary of State Alun Cairns MP yesterday (Wed 26th) at Welsh Questions in the House of Commons Chamber.

She said: "There is so much uncertainty about life post Brexit in our rural communities - and the UK government really is not listening to the very legitimate concerns that our farmers have.

"Farmers and others in rural communities have to plan and they need very definite commitments about being able to access the European Single Market."

Ms Jones also repeated a call for all powers relating to agriculture to be devolved to the Welsh Government after Brexit.