The South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has been successful in securing more than half a million pounds for Merthyr Tydfil from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.

The £25 million Fund, was launched in January this year to enable bids from Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales to fund initiatives aimed at tackling crime and preventing acquisitive crime and other offences that have a real impact on the community happening in the first place.

The Commissioner and his team worked closely with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to identify measures which would make a real difference to the town, helping both the police and council officers to increase public confidence and encouraging activity in the town centre.

Welcoming the announcement, Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael said: “This is a fantastic boost for Merthyr Tydfil and wonderful news for the area. We have been awarded a total of £513,410 which will be invested in the installation of alley gates, improved street lighting and CCTV provision as well as new signage. We will also be enhancing community engagement with community clean-up days and information leafleting to residents and local businesses.”

BCU Commander for the Merthyr area, Chief Superintendent Dorian Lloyd, said: “This additional funding for Merthyr Tydfil is a very welcome stimulus for the whole community.

“We will continue to work with our partners in the local authority to tackle crime in the town and be able to carry out targeted patrols to tackle acquisitive crime and provide reassurance to residents and local businesses that their continued safety and well-being are at the heart of what we do.”

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Leader, Councillor Kevin O’Neill said: “This is fantastic news for the Community Safety Partnership and the residents of Merthyr Tydfil.

“We have listened to the concerns of our residents and through our effective partnership working we have sought the necessary funding to enable us to put robust infrastructure in place making Merthyr Tydfil a safer place to live and visit.”