Tredegar Rugby Club recently hosted an initiative by Gwent Police to make social venues throughout Blaenau Gwent, including publicans and large premises were people gather, aware of acid attack kits. This rollout across the Gwent Force means that people will have access to the equipment should an incident occur, providing immediate first aid until the emergency services can arrive.
The launch was attended by about 50 people, who included many licence holders, representatives from Tredegar Town Council, Tredegar / Ebbw Vale and Blaina Crime Prevention Panels, BGCBC Licensing team, Police Officers and Ward Councillors Haydn Trollope, Tommy Smith and Malcolm Cross.
Information was presented to the group by Police Inspector Amanda Thomas and detailed instructions of how to use the kit was delivered by the Welsh Ambulance Service. Each kit contains personal protective equipment and many items which will allow immediate treatment of burns. This includes bottles of water, bandages, chemical gloves, face masks and safety goggles. However, the kits can be used to treat all sorts of injuries involving hazardous substances.
Councillor Haydn Trollope of the Tredegar Central West Ward, commented:
“We are very pleased to support this initiative and help keep the people of Blaenau Gwent safe. There has never been an acid attack in our area and we hope there will never be a time when this kit will be used.”
A total of 19 kits have already been bought by a number of licensees directly, six have been funded by Blaenau Gwent CBC and Gwent Police, plus a further six funded by Town Councils in Brynmawr, Tredegar and Crime Prevention panels.
The kits can be purchased from the SP Services website www.spservices.co.uk at a cost of £59.99p (product code BU/201).