GWENT Police have launched a new video ready for Guide Dog Week 2015 which starts tomorrow.

The short video called ‘Can you see the problem?’, was the idea of Blackwood sergeant, Mark Thomas.

It looks at the difficulties imposed on blind and visually impaired people and their guide dogs through irresponsible and illegal parking.

Sgt Thomas said the idea originated from a call from a blind person, reporting that whenever he visited Blackwood he always had trouble crossing the junction outside Argos due to cars parked illegally. On this junction there are dropped curbs with tactile pavements to indicate to blind people that this is a safe place to cross and they know that if they walk in a straight line, the curb on the opposite side will also be dropped.

The video features Hilary Lester, a member of the Gwent Police Independent Advisory Group, who is blind and uses guide dog Yalena. It also features Nathan Foy, who is the engagement officer for Guide Dos Cymru.

Sgt Thomas said: “Meeting Hilary and Nathan and seeing how they go about their everyday lives with the assistance of Yalena and Mason was truly inspirational.

“Their ability to get around with their dogs is amazing but it is only when you speak with them and they describe the difficulties they encounter with parked vehicles that you appreciate the effects this has.

“Hopefully this short video will help highlight these difficulties to drivers and make them more considerate in where they park.”

To preview the video, visit: https://youtu.be/kbe42P4Bqx4. For more information on Guide Dogs, please visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/