20 residents and business owners have contacted The Cardiffian to express safety concerns about Clifton Street and its surrounding roads
NEARLY one third of crime in Adamsdown during September took place in and around Clifton Street, which some local people say is ridden with gangs, street crime and anti-social behaviour.
An ex-delivery rider, 23, who has worked in Clifton Street over the past few years is among those who are fed up of being targeted by thieves.
“Delivery riders are sometimes swamped and intimidated, then have stuff stolen. For me, it was by a crowd leaving Tesco on Clifton Street. I held firmly onto my bike and tried to move away, but they just followed and stole everything. I know other riders who have been robbed too in a similar fashion,” he said.
During early summer last year, the rider, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, was also chased while riding a moped after an incident which began on Clifton Street..
“Two guys on electric scooters nearly t-boned me as I maneuvered my moped to overtake a parked van. I tried to avoid confrontation, but a chase began. They chased me through Constellation Street then tried to push me into an oncoming van. They tried to kill me. But I got through Metal Street and lost them,” he said.
Almost 20 residents and business owners have contacted The Cardiffian to express similar safety concerns about Clifton Street and the surrounding area.
A 65-year-old woman, has been left frightened after her dog was mauled by another animal which was not on a lead near Cecil Street. She also witnessed off-road motorbikes come close to running over a woman near Clifton Street.
“When I was young, Clifton Street used to be our go-to for Christmas shopping. Now, it has become a no-go area. I cannot wait to move out as I feel so unsafe here,” she said.
Resident, Anna Freun, 34, also said that Clifton Street feels unsafe, explaining that yelling and fights are a daily normality.
“A couple of months ago I saw a man being assaulted by a group in broad daylight by the side of Tesco. I was scared and froze up, but by the time I doubled back to do something they were gone,” she said.
Miss Freun believes that many local crimes go unreported, meaning police don’t have a true picture of what happens there. She also claimed that Roath Police Station on Clifton Street is no longer accessible to the public.
She added: “It feels like there is a literal and symbolic barrier, not just to reporting, but to police being part of the community. The police station has a door but we can’t open it”.
A South Wales Police spokesperson stressed that residents could receive police assistance 24 hours-a-day from other stations and could approach front counter services during opening hours.
“Technology has enabled the public to contact us in different ways and our service provision reflects this. As well as being available in person at front counters during opening hours, police officers and staff are based in, and work from, these stations 24/7,” said the spokesperson.
Despite safety concerns, some residents are determined to show that Clifton Street is not as bad as its reputation may suggest. It is home to a culturally diverse community and a variety of independent shops.
Harry Blackford, 27, who has lived on Clifton Street for two years, said: “It’s not all bad. There is some sense of community that we are all in this together, I guess. It’s just a shame there is a minority of people out to cause trouble”.
To contact South Wales Police:
Find a police station | South Wales Police
Email: SWP101@south-wales.police.uk
Phone (non-emergency): 101
