Victims of anti-social behaviour in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys will receive support from the victim and witness service, Goleudy from this month.

Goleudy is commissioned by Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, and provides support to anyone affected by crime and anti-social behaviour, regardless of whether they’ve reported it to the police.

He said: “Goleudy offers a free and confidential service to support victims, families and witnesses in the Dyfed-Powys area.

“Personalised, practical and emotional support is offered to help these people survive crime and make them stronger.

“The services are accessible regardless of whether the incident has been reported to the police.

“It is important for the same level of support to be available for both victims of crime and anti-social behaviour and this will now be achieved.

“Goleudy’s trained specialists will provide a smooth process supporting individuals whose specific circumstances may mean they alternate between being a victim of crime and victim of anti-social behaviour.”

The service, co-located with police, has been recognised as best practice in the most recent report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable, Mark Collins, said: “We know that around 10 per cent of our calls for service relate to anti-social behaviour, so it is a problem we must do more to tackle.

“Part of that is getting the right support for victims in place.

“Anti-social behaviour can disrupt people’s lives and cause as much upset as crime, and these victims deserve as much support as any other victim.”

The new approach has seen Dyfed-Powys Police invest in training staff and raising awareness to manage anti-social behaviour. They have met with Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Health Boards and the Fire and Rescue Service with the intent of working together more effectively by sharing knowledge and resources to tackle the problem.

The partnership working will protect and support individuals and their property, reduce repeat victimisation, identify offenders and trends, and the potential causes. They will then be able to consider implementing the most appropriate diversions, interventions, restrictive orders and prosecutions with the aim of reducing the impact of anti-social behaviour on individuals and communities.

Goleudy offers support to victims and witnesses in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys. The crime or anti-social behaviour does not need to be reported to police in order to access support.

For more information about Goleudy visit goleudyvictimandwitnessservice.org.uk or phone 0300 123 2996.