Evidence shows that the best way of preventing crime is to stop problems arising in the first place. That’s why South Wales Police – led by Police & Crime Commissioner Alun Michael and Chief Constable Peter Vaughan – have called a “Summit” at the Principality Stadium (formerly known as the Millennium Stadium) to engage agencies across South Wales in promoting “Early Intervention and Prompt, Positive Action”.

“However obvious it seems, we still fail to observe the message that ‘prevention is better than cure’ and in times of austerity we can’t afford to fail,” Mr Michael said today. “Recent evidence from Public Health Wales is compelling about the need to intervene early in the lives of individuals and families as problems start to arise. If we fail to take positive action in the early years the child and the family and society will all pay a price and agencies including police and prisons become overwhelmed.

“But it’s not just about the early years. We need prompt positive action throughout life – the success of the Youth Offending Teams has proved that if you act quickly the first time a youngster starts to go off the rails it can lead to life-saving changes. We’ve seen that the right intervention at the right time at any age can end a criminal career. But that action needs to be prompt and positive – and we need to act together. The same set of causes can damage health and lead to criminal actions, which is why we are working with health and local government to build on an evidence-based practical approach to making our communities in South Wales healthy and safe,” he said. “That’s what this summit is all about”..

Being able to develop the approach to early intervention is therefore vital to prevent problems escalating and when successful can impact positively on everything else. By offering help and support to people at the earliest opportunity we can try and prevent the situation escalating to a crisis point, and ensure they do not require a greater level of support and intervention at a later date.

The Chief Constable of South Wales Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner are hosting an Early Intervention Summit today, Friday 22nd January, and will bring together a host of experts and partner organisations in order to work together to develop Early Intervention across South Wales.

Chief Constable Peter Vaughan explains: “It is very important to bring together people with specialist knowledge to take part in an honest exchange of ideas and experience that will help South Wales Police improve the service we deliver and keep the community safe. Early Intervention is at the heart of building healthy, happy and safe communities, reducing demand on our public services.

“Early intervention combined with prompt, positive action will be our focus as we strive to protect the most vulnerable. The police are often the first agency to be in contact with families in need of help. We want to be part of the solution that prevents problems reaching the point where people need the emergency services. We can only do this by working closely with partners and by giving our police officers and staff the skills they need to adapt and to be part of the solution.

High profiles speakers from a variety of backgrounds including police, health and education will deliver presentations on best practice in inspire agencies to work together more closely to deliver an enhanced service.

Alun Michael added:” Co-operation is the overarching principle that inspires us because together we can achieve more than we can achieve alone.”

The summit will involve interactive workshop sessions designed to highlight the key challenges and opportunities going forward. It will also explore how to put more emphasis on prevention rather than cure even at a time of austerity and squeezed resources.

This is a long-term project and one that all participants are committed to making a success of for the benefit of all residents in South Wales.

There are a vast range of organisations providing impressive services across South Wales who all want to ensure resources are being directed effectively to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable people across South Wales.

The summit’s aim is to ensure there is a common understanding of what is meant by Early Intervention and make sure everyone is working towards the same goal.