On 21 August 2019, local Member of Parliament for Torfaen, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, took part in the “Give a Day to Policing Scheme”. Over the Summer, Members of Parliament across England, Wales and Scotland have been asked to give a day to policing.

Mr Thomas-Symonds MP spent time with Cwmbran Neighbourhood Policing Team, with the guidance of Cwmbran Ward Manager PC Jason Ghalamkary. They patrolled the local town centre where they discussed anti-social behaviour and range of ways that Officers help to overcome problems that arise.

Speaking about his experience Mr Thomas-Symonds MP said:

“As Member of Parliament for Torfaen and as shadow Home Office Minister I think that seeing what is actually happening on the front line and hearing from the officers, allows me to make more informed and better contributions to the public debate.

 

I’ve seen what officers are doing on the frontline. We’ve visited the town and seen how working together with other partners can make a big difference to investigations. We’ve also looked more generally at issues on the edges of the town centre, whether that’s in terms of anti-social behaviour or drug issues; all the things affecting people’s lives today.

 

What has really helped me today, is seeing not just the challenge that is out there, but the real professionalism and passion of our police officers on the frontline who are doing all they can to tackle those challenges.”

Local Inspector for the Torfaen Area, Phil O’Connell met with the Mr Thomas-Symonds MP before he spent the day with Cwmbran Ward Manager PC Jason Ghalamkary. Inspector O’Connell said:

“It is a pleasure to host Mr Thomas-Symonds MP in Cwmbran today; we both act in the interest of our communities we serve and share many of the same goals and priorities. It is beneficial for MPs to experience policing for themselves and it is vital that we work together.”