Fund launched to combat child exploitation

* Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Arfon Jones and Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Neill Anderson.

A £60,000 fund boosted by money confiscated from criminals has been launched to help tackle the growing menace of youngsters being groomed and exploited by vicious drugs gangs.

According to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, the ill-gotten gains of villains will be recycled for the benefit of the community in a series of crime-fighting initiatives across the region.

The Your Community, Your Choice Awards are again putting up the Community Fund for local groups and Mr Jones is urging local groups to bid for the cash.

It’s being organised jointly by Mr Jones, North Wales Police and the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).

The money for the awards comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act with the rest from the Police Commissioner’s Fund.

Each of the region’s six counties will have up to £2,500 apiece for two groups with £5,000 each for two organisations that operate in three or more counties.

In addition this year, thanks to additional funding from the police and crime commissioner and North Wales Police, there will be two new grants of £10,000.

The larger grants are designed to fund projects addressing issues related to the emerging threat of County Lines, where young people are being coerced and threatened with violence to take part in illegal activity across the region.

The deadline for applications is January 18 and the successful groups will be chosen by public vote.

Entry forms are available on the North Wales Police website with a link to it on the Police Commissioner’s website.

A shortlist of applicants will be chosen by a special panel and voting opens on February 4 and runs until March 1 with that vote deciding the winners.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said: “I decided to give more money this year because of the growing threat of the County Lines phenomenon which involves the criminal exploitation of children and young people.

“These drugs supply networks are often run by criminals from out of the area via a mobile phone line who use associates or even coerce vulnerable people to act as local dealers to deal drugs for them.

“Violence and intimidation is a common theme in these abhorrent networks which have become known County Lines.

“There is a great deal that third sector organisations and community organisations can do, especially in terms of raising awareness amongst the potential victims themselves.

“It is vitally important that warn youngsters of the very real dangers of being ensnared by these vicious gangs.

“County lines is a growing scourge, not just here but also across the UK, it getting to grips with it is a major priority in my Police and Crime Plan.”

His message was backed by Assistant Chief Constable Neill Anderson who said: “The Your Community Your Choice fund hits at the very heart of what we’re trying to achieve.

“There are so many worthy community groups out there, and this initiative is about the police and the community working together to actually make things safer for the public of North Wales, with the added benefit of course is that some of the monies comes from criminals.

“All of this chimes  perfectly with the commissioner’s Police and rime plan and the force’s objectives.

“Whilst there is lots of enforcement activity on going with County Lines, and we’ve been very successful in that regard, this is about prevention.

“There are groups out there that I think could help young people to stay on the right path and not get pulled into any of these County Lines drugs supply networks.

“Once they’re sucked in, they’re exploited and their lives are made hell. The impact on them is just terrible and there are links here to modern day slavery.”

PACT project manager Dave Evans said: “Every applicant must look at the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan and consider how their proposal can support one or more of the five priorities that are contained in the introduction within that plan.

“They also need to talk to their local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team through their PCSO or directly through their local inspector who will need to endorse and support their application before it comes to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s panel.

“This is a win-win for society because it’s bad money being turned into good. This is now the sixth year that we’ve been running this fund and every year the quality of applications is getting better and better and the impact that money is having in the communities is absolutely fantastic. We’ve seen first-hand the benefits that the communities are seeing from this money both on a community basis and in an individual basis.

“The people of North Wales have a say in all of this. They are the ones who decide who is going to be successful in each category. The more votes that you can secure through your network of supporters as an applicant the better. It’s all down to the applicants to make sure that they encourage their supporters to vote for their particular project.”   

* Completed applications must be returned by e-mail to yourcommunityyourchoice@nthwales.pnn.police.uk by 5pm on the closing date of January 18. For more information go to www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk or www.north-wales.police.uk

llanblogger says Merry Christmas to all its readers

County playgrounds could get more disabled friendly

* County Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor at Llandrillo playground.

Playgrounds in Denbighshire could become more accessible for disabled children thanks to a drive to increase accessibility in the county.

County Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor called for playgrounds to become more accessible earlier this year, and the authority agreed to take steps at last week’s Chairs and Vice Chairs Committee by making an audit of the current situation. 

Cllr ap Gwynfor, said: “There are children in our communities who are being excluded from an opportunity to play with their friends because many of our playgrounds have no suitable equipment. I have children in my ward who have mobility issues and can’t join with their friends in the playgrounds. This is true across the county. 

“The council has a programme of updating some of its playing parks at the moment, and we were asking that they consider the needs of disabled children.

"The authority carries out regular health and safety audits and have therefore agreed to carry out accessibility audits as well. This is excellent news.

"This information will allow playing ground planners to consider the needs of children with disabilities when they upgrade tour playgrounds, so that no child in the future will miss out on playing with their friends."

A statement from Disability Wales says: “In 2010 local authorities in Wales were given a duty to ensure children and young people in their areas had access to secure and sufficient play areas. Eight years on, the provision for inclusive play areas that disabled children can use remains poor.

"It is disappointing that despite the legislation disabled children are missing out on their right to play.

"It is great to hear of the campaign in Denbighshire to increase access to playgrounds for disabled children.

"Disability Wales welcomes the steps taken by Cllr Mabon ap Gwynfor to raise awareness of poor playground provision for disabled children in the county. Disabled children have the right to play in the same playgrounds as their non-disabled siblings and friends. 

"We hope that the playground refurbishment programme by Denbighshire Council will result in more inclusive playgrounds for disabled children.”

Peugeot travels to luxury end of people carrier market

* The Peugeot Traveller.

* The Traveller's interior.

Peugeot Traveller road test by Steve Rogers

Not so long ago no family was complete without a people carrier.

They were born in the eighties, the brainchild of Renault whose innovative Espace brought a whole new meaning to big family motoring. With seven comfy individual seats it was a bit like taking a trip in a miniature luxury coach.

The French company caught its rivals napping but habits change, the people carriers were a bit too big, not to mention expensive, and were pushed out by the smaller MPVs – Peugeot 5008, Ford S-Max, Vauxhall Zafira, Citroen Picasso etc.

All we are left with are the diehard Volkswagen Sharan, Seat Alhambra and Ford Galaxy.

Yet Peugeot has come up with a new people carrier. Well, sort of. The Traveller is not bespoke, it's based on the Expert van, a very good one as it happens, brim full of cutting edge technology, and just the job for throwing in such luxuries as heated and massaging leather front seats, tinted windows, thick pile carpets and few more homely touches.

The PSA group - that's Peugeot and Citroen - has joined forces with Toyota so if you think the Japanese company's Proace, Citroen Space Tourer and Pug Traveller look like triplets you would be right because only the front grille and badge setting them apart, oh and Peugeot would say its Traveller is far more luxurious, and it would be right. More expensive as well.

Does it work as a people carrier? Surely the firm suspension needed for commercial work compromises ride comfort for passengers.

It might, except this is not a heavy duty van, so the starting point offers the best of both worlds. My first journey was solo along B roads and the van DNA was obvious. Road rumbles came up through the suspension and it became obvious that Traveller does not have the composure of a big car.

On decent A roads and motorways the ride is fine and it got better with six people and luggage to settle it down, in fact Traveller got universal praise for comfort from the four back seat passengers.

The seat configuration is two-three-three with the second and third rows each having a 70/30 split, all on runners so there are a multitude of combinations. Legroom is ample for all adults but be aware boot space is limited on the shortest of the three versions when all the seats are in play.

To maximise capacity for our trip one two-seater was taken out so there was extra luggage space which was just as well given the boxes of wine that materialised. Versatility is the key here and movement between the rows is fairly easy. For carrying big items, and I mean big, all the seats can be lifted out but the doubles are heavy beggars so get a mate to give a hand.

Whether it is being used as a van or people carrier Traveller has car like driving habits. Driving position is good with adjustable steering column, nicely weighted steering, and dashboard mounted stick for the six speed gearbox.

My test car was the six speed automatic with a manual option operated from steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The change is smooth enough but throttle response from start is a tad slow and can catch you out at busy roundabouts.

The features found on high spec cars are all here, electric windows, air conditioning, navigation, automatic wipers and headlights with auto dipping function along with a 360 degree rear camera which, incidentally, has brilliant definition.

Rear passengers get roof mounted heating controls, although it wasn't that effective, but the wide opening powered sliding doors went down particularly well along with the glass roof panels which pour light into a dark area.

Another useful feature not found on many cars is cabin storage space. There are loads of cubbies on the Traveller.

Safety isn't forgotten either with the excellent blind spot alert, a huge help on motorways picking up an overtaking car that can be out of site for a split second. Adaptive cruise control is another good safety feature on busy motorways as well as keeping the driver on the right side of average speed cameras. And should it snow the Traveller has Peugeot's highly praised grip control system which does exactly what it says on the tin, providing extra grip in slippery conditions.

Top prize goes to the windscreen head up display, perfectly positioned in the driver's eyeline for speed and navigation instructions. It's a brilliant aid and the sooner it is standard on all cars the better.

There is performance aplenty from the most powerful engine option, a 2-litre turbo diesel, which averaged between 39 and 41mpg over 1400 miles.

Just a couple of irritations: Lighting is needed for the temperature switches on the dashboard and the cruise/speed limiter stalk is hidden behind the steering wheel and difficult to use.

I don't see a lot of family's heading for the Traveller. It might be well equipped but £39k will buy a very decent big SUV. But it is perfect for VIP travel and taxi work.

Fast facts

Peugeot Traveller Allure

£39,239 (starts £31,850)

2-litre turbo diesel 180bhp auto

48.7mpg combined

151g/km. First year road tax £830

Insurance group 24

Scheme aims to deter offenders from life of crime

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

A pioneering scheme to divert low level offenders away from a life of crime is being launched in North Wales.

The idea has been championed by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones who says it will cut reoffending rates as well as reducing police and court time.

It’s anticipated part of the Checkpoint programme will be piloted in a selected area of North Wales in the New Year with the aim of rolling it out across the region over the next 12 months.

The scheme, which has been developed by Cambridge University, has been successfully trialled in Durham.

Offenders are offered  the chance to avoid prosecution by seeking help from rehabilitation services in the community after signing a contract to say they will comply.

Each offender will be supervised by a skilled 'navigator' – many of whom have successfully completed rehabilitation programmes - the four-month period and they face prosecution if the contract is broken.

Durham’s Checkpoint programme has already won a national award from the Howard League for Penal Reform and has achieved impressive results in reducing reoffending.

Statistics from Durham showed only four per cent of those referred for support were re-convicted compared with 19 per cent who went down criminal justice routes.

It is argued that the Checkpoint approach improves life chances because people avoid getting a criminal record, which can affect employment and education opportunities.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, says it may even save lives because criminalisation deters people from seeking help and encourages high risk behaviours.

With the estimated cost of imprisoning someone now at £65,000 and £40,000 for every year after that, Mr Jones also argues that public savings could be substantial.

Following a recent fact-finding visit to Durham, Mr Jones Jones said: “Checkpoint is aimed at people who have committed a lower level of offences and rather than taking them to court we can intervene and use skilled navigators to direct them to the appropriate services.

“This will address the underlying causes of their offending and aim to reduce the risk of them re-offending.

“People are often motivated to commit crime due to underlying issues in their lives – these could include drug or alcohol misuse, mental and physical health issues, housing or homelessness, or problems to do with money or relationships.

“Checkpoint offers eligible offenders a four-month long contract to engage as an alternative to prosecution.

“The contract offers interventions to address the underlying reasons why they committed the crime to prevent them from doing it again to somebody else.

“Serious offences such as rape, robbery or murder will not be eligible for Checkpoint. Neither will driving offences, cases of serious domestic abuse or serious hate crime.

“Checkpoint is not a soft option – and it will be harder to complete than all of the current out of court disposals currently available , for example, a caution, or a fixed penalty notice.

“If the subject successfully completes the contract and does not reoffend, no further action will be taken against them.

“If they reoffend or fail to complete the contract they will be prosecuted and we will inform the courts of the circumstances of their failure to complete the contract.”

In Durham they have 12 navigators who currently deal with 300 offenders who have given an undertaken to seek help from services for four months and in return they will avoid prosecution but if they breach that condition then they will go to court.

Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg, who invited Arfon Jones to come and see how the programme is working, said “Checkpoint demonstrates that traditional criminal justice sanctions are less effective in reducing reoffending than diversion schemes.

“Traditional criminal justice sanctions such as a caution or a fine do nothing to address the reasons why people offend and reduce reoffending.

“It’s also important to adopt this kind of strategy as we face financial cutbacks and have to look at different ways of operating – this will help us to cope.

“There’s scope for savings with regard to police, court, probation and prison time – any cost will be outweighed by the savings.

"Serious offenders who commit serious crimes will not be offered this and will still go to prison.

“Checkpoint is a massive step forward for policing and for this force in general.”

Oneplanet Adventure gets early Christmas present

Oneplanet Adventure has announced the purchase of the Visitor Centre at Coed Llandegla Forest from the Church Commissioners for England (CCE).

A statement from Oneplanet says: "The purchase and signing of a new lease for recreational use of the forest will ensure the future of the site as the ‘Gateway for adventure in North Wales’ for years to come.

"The team at Oneplanet Adventure would like to thank CCE and Tilhill for their assistance over the years and we very much look forward to continuing the partnership long into the future.

"We would also very much like to thank HSBC and Development Bank of Wales with assistance from Hillyer Mckeown and the Welsh Governments Accelerated Growth Program who have all played an important part in enabling us to make this happen.

"As passionate mountain bikers, everyone at Oneplanet Adventure very much look forward to sharing our exciting plans for the future with you all early in the new year."

County advises on your festive shopping rights

On the last Saturday for present buying before Christmas Denbighshire’s Trading Standards team is reminding shoppers of their rights.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Lead Member for Housing, Regulation & Environment, said: “Knowing your rights can take some of the stress out of shopping.  Shoppers who know their rights shop with confidence, saving time and money, which is good for all concerned.

“Nobody wants to give or receive a defective product but it is important to know how to resolve any issues, should they arise.”

If you have bought goods after 1 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies and it is now easier to understand and enforce your consumer rights.

Here is a summary of the main changes to the law and tips for a happy Christmas shopping experience:

Refunds for poor quality goods – If you bought goods after 1 October you have the right to a full refund within 30 days of purchase if the goods you have bought are faulty, not fit for purpose or don’t match their description.  If goods have a fault within six months and they can’t be repaired or replaced, in most cases you are entitled to a refund.

Returning unwanted goods – your rights are different depending upon whether you bought from a shop or through distance selling (online, over the phone or mail order) - If you have bought goods from a shop and there is nothing wrong with them and you’ve simply changed your mind, you do not have any rights to a refund although some shops do have a refund policy, so always check the terms of the refund policy before buying.

If you’ve bought online, over the phone or by mail order - The new law states that if you change your mind you now have 14 days from the date you received the goods to tell the seller you have changed your mind and obtain a refund.  Once you have told the seller you have another 14 days to return the goods.

There are a few exceptions, such as personalised items or goods that will deteriorate quickly.  Make sure you know what your cancellation rights are and how much it’s going to cost you to send goods back before you buy.  If the goods are faulty the seller must refund the return postal costs.

Extra costs - If you are buying online, over the phone or by mail order check any additional costs, such as delivery and any other charges. This information must be made clear and you will not be responsible for costs you were not made aware of before you entered into the contract.

Finally, don’t get scammed and watch out for fake goods; always buy from a genuine and reputable retailer. If the price sounds too good to be true – it probably is!  If you are buying online, ensure you check the seller and the website out. Check that the contact details and address is real, do a price check and read online reviews and see whether the trader is part of a recognised association, such as Buy With Confidence (www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk). Check to see if the website is a legitimate stockist by visiting www.brand-i.org.

* For advice on your consumer rights call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh Language or online via www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales .  Reporting a fraud can also be done through Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or on the website at www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud