POLICE in Chirk have a new weapon in their fight against crime thanks to a local company.
Chirk Police and the wood panel manufacturers Kronospan have teamed up in a groundbreaking new initiative to tackle crime.
In a ceremony at the village's police station Chief Inspector Ian Thomas was handed the key to a brand-new Land Rover Freelander, part-funded by Chirkbased Kronospan.
The four-wheel-drive vehicle is the only one of its kind in service in the Wrexham South area of Eastern Division and will play a key role in the sometimes difficult terrain of the 60 square miles that makes up the patrol area.
District Inspector Paul Firth, who covers the Chirk area, said he was delighted with the new vehicle.
He said: 'This is an excellent example of how local business is supporting a joint approach to improve the quality of life for the residents of Chirk.
'There is a strong partnership between the local council and the police in the town, but this extends that partnership in to the private sector.'
The Freelander has been adapted for operational policing with radio equipment, extra lights, toughened bumpers and special protection for the chassis.
One of the first to use the new vehicle, PC Richard Griffiths, a community beat manager in Chirk, said: 'This vehicle makes a great difference to our policing. In a predominantly rural area, a four-wheel drive vehicle is the best way of getting access to everyone, especially in the winter when we often have flooding, ice and snow. Without it, it would be more difficult to get everywhere we need to.'
Kronospan's personnel director, Mike McKenna said: 'Kronospan wanted to help Chirk police with a vehicle that would make a real difference to the community. The opportunity arose when one of their patrol cars, came up for renewal and we are delighted to help and allow the police to upgrade to a Land Rover Freelander.'
Chirk police are part of the Dyna Ddigon (That's Enough) initiative which is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour in the community.
They have been working in partnership with other agencies and residents to improve the quality of life for the people of Chirk.
