An increase in anti-social behaviour and alcohol related incidents in Saundersfoot has been described as ‘very concerning’ by one of the seaside village’s county councillors.

Cllr Chris Williams who represents Saundersfoot’s south ward said that in recent months he has received a number of reports from residents and business owners of an increase in anti-social behaviour, alcohol related incidents outside licences premises and theft from shops.

“This is very concerning,” remarked Cllr Williams. “Since being your County Councillor I have met regularly with the PCSOs and expressed my wish to see more police presence within our village,” stating that due to such a volume of complaints, he reached out to police over the summer season.

“They have informed me that there were only a couple of incidents actually reported to them recently. The police can’t deal with an incident if they are unaware and they should be your first contact regarding an incident. Therefore, I would encourage people to report any incidents of concern via 101 or online,” he continued.

Cllr Williams went onto say that due to the increasing concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour in Saundersfoot, he is now aware that licensees and businesses are now trying to create a ‘pub watch’ and ‘business watch’ group to alert each other on social media with the aim of preventing and detecting crime and reducing antisocial behaviour.

“While I understand their willingness to address these issues, I would hope the police and Local Authority would offer leadership and advice in this regard, to ensure such schemes are lawful and effective,” he remarked.

“I honestly believe the community in Saundersfoot would welcome a meeting with the police to provide answers to their concerns and to hopefully provide reassurance for the future.

“I do feel a meeting with the Police, members of Saundersfoot Community Council, resident groups, licensing and established business owners to discuss the rising concerns in our village could be very productive. I have a duty to represent the concerns of the community and I will continue to do so,” added Cllr Williams.

Back in August, Dyfed-Powys Police announced that Tenby would be one of ten ‘hotspot’ areas chosen to target for antisocial behaviour concerns, after funding was secured for new initiative Operation Ivydene.

Police officers will be spending more time in the areas worst hit by antisocial behaviour across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys thanks to an injection of cash from the Home Office.