When business owner Jim Robinson noticed some of his planters had been trashed, he rang police. The reply reassured him. "They were able to tell me that it was all in-hand, they knew who had done it and the culprits would be coming by to apologise the next day. They even did an hour of voluntary service as repatriation," he told WalesOnline.
If this isn't what always happens in Wales where the nation's police forces are hard stretched and are often given a difficult time about their crime detection rates, it might be because Mr Robinson lives in the leafy community of Killay. This largely residential community of 5,000 people four miles to the west of Swansea city centre, and often seen as a gateway to Gower, is officially the safest place in Wales.
There were just 101 crimes of all types committed here last year, the equivalent of one for every 50 people who live here in 12 months. To give you a comparison, one community in Cardiff saw 517 bike thefts alone - and that's before you add in all the other kinds of crime. You can see all the data here.
Read more: These are the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Wales
There is crime in this leafy area in the west of the city, just not much of it. To be exact, there were 33 incidents of shoplifting in the last 12 months, 24 violent and sexual offences, eight reports of anti-social behaviour, seven public order offences and four vehicle crimes, according to police.uk.
Typically when we visit communities and ask residents what they think about their area, they tell us a laundry list of things they want to see added, improved or drastically changed. But our conversations with residents in Killay could not have been more different to this. Time and time again, people were stumped when we asked them if there was anything they'd like to see changed in the area and more often than not, people weren't the least bit surprised that their district had been ranked the safest in Wales. To get the latest Swansea news stories to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter
Not strictly a village, Killay community is home to a few pubs, salons and take-aways, a library, doctor's surgery and pharmacy – and several thriving independent businesses, many of which are located in the community's "Precinct" shopping area. Just over a quarter of the population of Killay and neighbouring community Dunvant are aged 65+.
Many people living in Killay have done so for decades – and they really know their neighbours and their neighbours' neighbours. It's this familiarity that several residents credit as a key factor in making Killay feel special and safe. With everyone knowing each other, people make an effort to chat to each other – and they also care what people think!
"People in Killay are very friendly, working people – or retired people who used to work. It's quite an affluent area, where people look after their homes and gardens and drive nice cars," Kathy Jones, manager of The Pettifor Trust charity shop in Killay Precinct said. "You can tell everyone works because there can be a lot of traffic in the mornings! But Killay has a community feeling, a lot of people have been here for a long time, they have pride in their community, pride in their homes and gardens." "People really care here – and they care for animals in particular!" added shop volunteer Veronica Rouge.
'The community looks out for each other'
Keen to hear from a wide range of people, we posted on a couple of Killay community groups on social media, as we were conscious our visit during the working day meant we were unlikely to see working people who live locally, and asked them why they think Killay is such a safe area to live and work. Among the responses, was local businessowner Mr Robinson who had the positive story to tell about his planters. He praised the community for holding people accountable and looking out for each other.
"My experience is that the community looks out for each other. I run a local business and some youths trashed some planters outside of the shop one evening – a local person witnessed this and followed them home then reported it to the police," he wrote. "In the morning, when I phoned the police myself, they were able to tell me that it was all in-hand, they knew who had done it and the culprits would be coming by to apologise the next day. They even did an hour of voluntary service as repatriation – it is those small things that keep a community feeling safe."
Another way the community looks out for each other is through a wide range of community events and social groups. There's a weekly support group for people living with dementia and their partners, as well as regular community events – and one of the pubs even offers an afternoon pub quiz as they found a typical evening quiz was too late for their regular customers.
Long-running Killay business The Village bar and café, previously known as Gatsby's, is more like a traditional red-brick pub than a bar and café and offers a weekly pub quiz on a Tuesday evening – and a weekly quiz and bingo session on a Monday afternoon, as this best suits older people in the community, manager Jamie Barrow said.
"I'm not really surprised Killay is the safest area," he added. "The majority of people here are older and some people have lived her for years. And you get people here that are like part of the family – they know everything that is going on and everything that has gone on!"
This sentiment was echoed by local resident Rachel Gauntlett who praised the community spirit of the area. "We chose to move here because the area just seemed so welcoming, you have a lot of options for local stores nearby with the Precinct and things like the cycle path and park were a huge bonus too," she said. "I think it's so safe because it attracts a lot of families and older people, and there's a huge community spirit – our next-door neighbours are like second grandparents to us!"
"Everything is convenient here," added local resident Susan Taylor. "The buses are reliable and there's friendly people in the shops, Killay is lovely."
'Killay is safe and successful as it has a team of people looking after it'
"I moved to Killay with my family around four to five years ago, having lived in quite a few places in Wales. Killay is pretty unique in Wales I think, and that's why it's special," added local resident Jamie Jones. "It's really close to Gower beaches and Clyne country park but is mostly free from tourist traffic. There's great housing options but it's not overpriced like Cardiff or Mumbles/Gower! It's got independent shops, pubs and restaurants, but just enough of your chain stuff too! And all the primary schools are nice, with Olchfa a great place for comp [secondary school].”
Praising the work of the community council and Swansea Council as a key reason the area is so safe, another resident said: "Killay is a pleasant, safe place to live because it has had a strong team looking after it for years. It has two long-standing city councillors, Mary Jones and Jeff Jones, who have looked after Killay for over 20 years. They work hard with local police to keep the area nice.
"In the past year, Dunvant and Killay wards have merged so there is an additional councillor [Louise Gibbard]," they added. "[And] Killay have a fantastic long-standing community council who work hard all year round running events and planting flowers around the area."
'I don't think I would live anywhere else'
Praising the work of the council and people serving the community as key factors in the continued success and safety of Killay, resident Bob Harris took to the comments on our post on social media and said: "I wasn't very familiar with Killay at all when I moved here nearly 10 years ago, but now I don't think I would live anywhere else in Swansea – and as a local, I've seen most of it! [Killay is] so close to the cycle track and Clyne Valley for walks, and up into Gower in the other direction.
"Much more affordable housing than further west towards Mumbles, and only 15 minutes’ drive to town or the M4 east or west, or a bit more for shopping at Trostre in Llanelli, while the city centre's offering remains dire.
"Everything you need is within easy walking distance – the shops, doctor, dentist, florist, churches, several pubs, barbers etc. Mostly all independent businesses, and several sought-after schools. Good sense of community spirit with the likes of Dunvant RFC and Killay and Community Council, and the local area co-ordinator organising and highlighting lots that goes on – bands in the precinct, events for the elderly, Santa Parade etc."
"I also have to give particular mention to Cllr Louise Sian Gibbard who has done so much to improve the area in recent years – notably as leader of Friends of Dunvant Park (much improved with new playground, orchard, football/basketball area etc) but also as a contact for residents to report (and act on) much smaller issues that make a difference to the quality of life to residents," he added. "This isn't a political thing; I just think her enthusiasm and effort should be more recognised! Overall, Killay is just a very pleasant place to live."
Replying to Mr Harris' comment, staff at Dunvant RFC said: "Many kind words about our club. We feel we are a club at the heart of the community who encourage the best in our members. With nearly 350 junior members who see Broadacre as their second home and a senior section brimming with homegrown talent we know they love their community."
"Many charity events through the year raising tens of thousands for good causes, from the duck race to the fireworks, rugby festival and Oktoberfest – our members are always looking out for others. The club is always welcoming to new and old members," they added. "When they say it takes a community to raise a child, I can't think of a better one to raise our children in."
Explaining the community council's involvement in the local community, chair of Killay Community Council, Nigel Fletcher said: "It is great news to know that Killay is ranked as the safest community in Wales. Killay Community Council was formed in 1983, so this year is celebrating its 40th year. The Community Council comprises of 15 councillors who are all local residents, many of which have served the community for over ten years.
"The Community Council express the views of residents and act in their best interest to maintain to achieve a friendly and safe village feel. Residents can contact the Community Council on any issue and attend the monthly meetings, where all matters can be addressed as appropriate.
"Killay Community Council, funded solely by the residents through a precept, work throughout the year to provide a range of activities including floral displays, children’s activities, a senior citizens Coronation lunch, band nights in the precinct, Christmas illuminations and the increasingly successful Santa’s parade around the whole of Killay. The Council recently jointly funded the purchase of three new defibrillators located through the area. Councillors are involved in local planning applications, public rights of way, promoting environmental initiatives and generally being there for its residents.
"The Council have a good relationship with its three City Councillors, regularly exchanging information and liaising on issues that fall outside of the scope of a Community Council."
'I spend a lot of time just waving at people - everybody knows everybody'
Owner of Heritage Carpet & Flooring in Killay precinct, Ian Garden said he wasn’t surprised Killay is the safest place in Wales and said he chose the precinct for his business 18 years ago as it’s an area full of independent businesses and the people living locally are the key demographics most-suited to his business. “In this area, there’s a lot of retired professional people who have a standard of living,” he said. “Everybody knows everybody, Killay has a village feel even though it’s not a village. I spend a lot of my day just waving through the window at people I know or recognise, or people who wave just to be polite.”
Asked what he’d like to see added to the area, Ian said he misses the old butcher shop which closed down a few years ago due to its owners’ ill-health and he and his staff would love to see the return of the bank – but they noted that many high streets and shopping areas around Wales and beyond are seeing their banks close down.
Alan Melville in Allsortz card shop, also in Killay Precinct, wasn’t surprised to learn Killay is the safest area in Wales either. He says the precinct, which he notes is “the last one left” in Swansea, helps make Killay “very much a community” – with the hardwork of the community council and regular activities throughout the year bringing people together.
'Killay felt like the right place for our business'
The newest business to open in Killay, Love Wales Gower surfwear shop opened near St Hilary church on Gower Road just last month. The independent family-run shop sells surf and beach leisurewear, swimwear, wetsuits and surfing accessories and has already become a hit with locals, as well as students who walk or drive down from Sketty, Brynmill and Uplands to visit the shop.
The shop started life as ‘Love Waves’ online surfwear retailer but has become so popular in recent months that business-owner Matt Stephen and his family decided to branch-out to open a physical store.
“Dad picked Killay as it’s very community-driven,” Matt's daughter and Love Wales Gower staff member Rio Stephen said. “It’s on the way to Gower and it’s got that community feeling and felt like the right place. Everyone has been really welcoming and about 70% of the people coming in are locals, there’s been a lot of interest.”
As well as the success of independent shops and the community feeling, residents and business-owners have praised how convenient everything is in Killay which, they say, encourages people to shop and support local – further helping the community thrive and remain safe.
Earlier this year, owner of Stuart’s Artisan Bakery in Killay, Stuart Matuschke praised the convenience of Killay. "One of the key things which makes Killay a success is the free parking. From my experience, it's a great location," he said. "I believe we live in a convenient world and people want to be able to park and shop. The Swansea traffic is difficult to navigate.
"Here you can park up and get most of your shopping done. We can also do something special and different here, you've got to come to us to get that speciality product. You've always got to try and make yourself unique. It was a big loss losing the butchers and the bank for the area, but the units filled up quickly."
Sales manager at HWB car parts, El B, added: "There's definitely a lot of community support, it is a tight-knit community and everyone is friendly around here. I think because there are so many houses around here, and it is a bit of a trek to get to town."
Swansea council’s councillor for Dunvant and Killay, Louise Gibbard said: “Killay is a friendly, settled community with a lot of neighbours who know and look out for each other. We have a wide range of voluntary groups who support people and excellent local services and independent businesses which I think is really important for building that community as well- such as fantastic schools, great pubs, doctors surgery, lovely library, shops, hair salons, churches, parks and green spaces. It really is a nice place to live and work!"
During our visit to Killay, several locals also praised the hardwork of staff at Killay Library in supporting the community and offering a wide range of events and activities for the community.
We approached Swansea Council about this, and a spokesperson explained what's on offer at Killay Library. "Killay Library - like our other libraries - is at the heart of the community it serves. Local families and others enjoy getting together there. Our team there has a great deal on offer for children, families and the wider community," they said.
"There’s a large range of books to inspire reading for all ages and tastes, including a range for younger readers from picture books to graphic novels. Its young adult fiction section is hugely popular as are other schemes to make reading selections as simple as possible. For those aged under five there are weekly rhyme time sessions which provide a great opportunity for parents to meet and chat. For older children, Killay has a weekly Lego building club and regular crafting opportunities for all ages.
"There are computers, online resources, e-magazines and access to ebooks. Digital services include printing, copying, scanning and free wifi. The library provides a safe and welcoming place for young people to study and to access help and resources. The library also provides other activities for the community including a reading group, Scrabble club, litter picking hub, a knitting group and family history surgeries.
"Our library service’s summer reading challenge for young people - Ready, Set, Read! - is back next month and our visitors can expect fun events and challenges throughout the summer in Killay and at other libraries. Killay Library - like all our libraries - has something for everybody, with a knowledgeable team who are delighted to help visitors make their choices."
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