WELSH Conservative Regional MS Altaf Hussain visited Neath Police Station to discuss anti-social behaviour in the town centre over the pandemic.
Dr Hussain told officers that he had received complaints from constituents about swearing, drug taking and violence that have taken place especially in the early days of the lockdown.
He was told by Supt Stephen Jones that when the lockdown was first brought in, police and councils had to work fast to get rough sleepers off the streets as it was government policy to get everyone inside.
As a result, hotels and guest house accommodation had to be used and in the case of Neath, it focussed problems on one main location – the Ambassador’s Hotel.
Dr Hussain said: “ I appreciate that these were difficult times and police and social workers had to deal with multiple problems including drug and alcohol abuse as well as acts of violence including stabbings out on the streets at the time.
“I was very pleased to hear that although some people remain at this hotel, the problems have been largely resolved as people have been dispersed into social housing. The pace is slow because of the lack of availability of such housing.
“I appreciate the efforts made both by police and Neath Port Talbot Council to grapple with these issues. Drug dealing and drug abuse remain very high priorities for police who are engaged in a number of initiatives to deflect young people from starting to take drugs at all and also in protecting the public. I will do everything I can to support both the police and the local authority going forward.”