A TOP cop yesterday revealed police are reviewing all calls to the force for the past three months from the Croespenmaen street where a sex attack is alleged to have taken place.

Supt Jon Burley, police commander for Caerphilly borough, went to a crammed PACT (Police and communities together) meeting at Crumlin Community Centre on Wednesday night with more than 100 people to allay residents’ fears and tell them what police are doing in the wake of the serious incident which has shocked the village.

Following the alleged attack in Pen-y-Bryn Close on Saturday, tensions have been running high and Supt Burley said as part of the response, officers were going over every call made to police from the Close since May 4, to check the nature of the call and the police response to see if it met expectations.

Up to 60 officers, including 30 detective constables, have been deployed to work on the case and Supt Burley said they would keep the mobile police station in the street for 12 hours a day until at least Monday.

It is manned by a PCSO, while another patrols the area. It will be open between 9am and 9pm and Supt Burley will review the position on Monday to see if it is still needed.

The news comes after yesterday’s Argus reported local mothers have set up an online campaign amid fears for their children.

Supt Burley said: “The concern from the mothers is one we can understand, but we can reassure them that we do not anticipate anybody alleged to have been involved in the incident would be involved in a similar offence.”

He said the issue of reprisal attacks was raised, but moved to quash this, saying it would hinder the investigation.

“We’ve devoted an enormous amount of resources, it is being taken very seriously. Any action taken by the community that could jeopardise the criminal justice process is counter-productive.

If anybody breaks the law, then obviously they’re open to being dealt with by us as well.”

Supt Burley urged people to make the most of the extra presence on their doorstep by coming to the mobile police station with any information they have which could help the investigation.

People can also report anything by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


Eleven now in custody

POLICE have not ruled out more arrests in the case, residents were told at the PACT meeting.

Supt Burley told residents they have ploughed more resources into the investigation than “some murders”.

DS Ian Tucker, who is leading the investigation, said 11 people had been taken into custody so far, with 50 interviewed and four people charged.

Charter Housing has boarded up two properties on the estate and representative Kay Hellier said the housing association had spoken to families of the tenants and hoped they would not be returning.

Locals asked for measures to be brought in, including nodrinking zones in parts of Croespenmaen and CCTV cameras, to combat what they say is a wider problem.

Resident Joe Thompson said issues included unruliness, vandalism and youngsters drinking on the street.

He said: “I have called the police 14 times since July 11.”


EDITORIAL COMMENT: Fine response by the police

WE FIND the attitude of the police over the investigation into an incident in Croespenmaen very refreshing.

Supt Jon Burley told a public meeting exactly what was being done in the wake of the weekend incident.

He also vowed to study every call made from residents in the last few months, to see if the police dealt with all complaints as they are expected to do.

Yesterday, we told how an online campaign had gathered thousands of signatures in its first day and how a group of young mothers said they feared for their children’s safety in the area.

If indeed there had been complaints made in this street, then it is only right the police now study calls, to ensure they met expectations.

The police are clearly aware that feelings are running high in the local community.

Up to 60 officers are working on the case and a mobile police station will be in the street for 12 hours a day until at least Monday.

It is clear police have, rightly, devoted a tremendous amount of resource and time to what is clearly a difficult local situation, while at the same time trying to allay fears in the community.

It is also very pleasing to see the community working so closely with them.