Policing Priority Areas

Rhyl - West ward South London - Camberwell Green Bristol - Stapleton Road Stoke-on-Trent - Grange Estate Bradford - Little Horton/Canterbury

The town's west ward is one of five communities designated as the UK's first "policing priority areas".

But the Right Reverend John Davies told the congregation at St Thomas' church in the town that the image of Rhyl as a troubled area was unwarranted.

The bishop said he was "dismayed" by recent adverse publicity and he said he would be happy to retire in the resort.

"The more you stigmatise the community, the more the negative label sticks," said Rt Rev Davies.

"The town has its problems, but the other side to Rhyl needs to be told."

He added: "There is strong community spirit in Rhyl, but it needs encouraging."

The bishop said ongoing schemes to regenerate the town reflected the efforts being made to turn Rhyl's fortunes round.

In a public show of support for the town, he asked the congregation at St Thomas' to give a round of applause for Rhyl.

It was announced earlier this month that the Home Office's Police Standards Unit (PSU) has already begun working with local police forces to identify key problems.

It is the first time the Home Office has intervened so directly in local policing.

The PSU is led by former senior police officer and Yorkshire Water managing director Kevin Bond.

Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom says Rhyl needs extra effort

In its first initiative, the unit will work closely with local police to draw up plans to tackle persistent problems of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Chief Constable of North Wales Police Richard Brunstrom said the force had volunteered to take part in the pilot scheme because it wanted to be at the forefront of new initiatives.

He said Rhyl posed particular problems for his officers.

"It's a quite densely populated urban area with very high levels of unemployment, very severe social deprivation problems and all the social issues that go with it," he explained.

"It makes it a difficult place to work and therefore a very good place to try out new ideas."

David Blunkett: Pilot scheme

The West ward of Rhyl was classified as the most deprived area of Wales in 2000.

The town, along with nearby Prestatyn, has also been the focus of the largest drugs crackdown by North Wales Police.

In February, the last of 26 drug dealers was sent to jail following the operation, codenamed Decade.

In a separate initiative, civilian wardens have taken to the streets of Rhyl and Denbigh, offering help and advice to residents.

Organisations involved in that scheme include the community safety group Stars, Denbighshire County Council and North Wales Police.