Colwyn Bay, a seaside town in North Wales, has become so dangerous that some residents are too scared to leave their homes after dark. Locals have dubbed the resort a 'ghost town' following multiple shop closures and rising crime rates. According to data from Crime Rate, the overall crime rate in Colwyn Bay is around 95 per 1,000 people, roughly 32% higher than the average for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Areas such as Colwyn Bay North and the town centre, particularly around the Bay View Shopping Centre, have seen a rise in criminal activity in recent years.
Residents Express Fear and Frustration
Tony Lowdes, a 59-year-old resident, told the Daily Express: 'Crime is rife here, it's noticeable everywhere you go. It's a night-time issue for sure and I do not come out at night here. I wouldn't feel safe. You only have to see it in locals news to know what it's like. There's always something going on.' He added that the town centre is 'depressing' and accused authorities of prioritising the seafront over the struggling high street: 'They've ripped the heart out of the town. There's no regeneration here, it's just depressing. They've spent money on the beach but why spend money there if people have got nowhere to go in the town? The town centre is falling apart, there's no infrastructure left.'
Enid Walkden, 76, who lives outside the town but visits regularly, described the seafront as a 'beautiful place' but noted the decline: 'There's more homeless people here than ever I think. There's more people begging and they're not always British, which is sad. It puts people off, doesn't it? It's a shame as it's not the same anymore here.' She listed shop closures including Boots, WHSmith, Poundland, Subway, Costcutter, Costa Coffee, NatWest, Peacocks, and Iceland, adding: 'People don't have a reason to come into town anymore. The town centre lets it down - it's becoming like a ghost town.'
Investment vs. Reality
Colwyn Bay has received over £70 million in public and private investment for waterfront developments, flood defences, and housing. Planning proposals have been submitted for a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the Bay View Shopping Centre, including a new Morrisons, restaurants, and a gym. However, locals argue the money is being invested in the wrong places. Amina Amirech, 32, who has lived in the town all her life, noted increasing drug issues: 'I've noticed more people get involved in drugs recently; that's an issue here. It can be scary around the town centre sometimes.' She believes the declining high street is driving young people away: 'There's not much to do for young people around here. Most of my friends have actually moved away as there are more opportunities in other places.'
Mixed Views from Residents
Not all residents are negative. Nicole Davies, 18, praised the beach and coastal views: 'The beach is amazing, it's a great place to walk. It's beautiful and great for dog walkers. Everything here is so close to nature.' However, Karen Sparrow, 72, who has lived in Colwyn Bay her whole life, described the town as 'dirty' and said she doesn't feel safe on the streets: 'Shops are shutting, and I don't feel safe on the streets anymore. That's what everybody else says. There are quite a few hostels here, and there are drug and alcohol problems around. It's a town of two halves - the seafront is absolutely beautiful.'
Friends Lynda Christian, 72, and Denise Crier, 79, sitting on a bench in the town centre, believe Colwyn Bay faces similar issues to other seaside resorts. Ms Crier said: 'I moved here around 14 years ago, and it's definitely gone downhill since. The seafront has always been nice and they're doing up the Wetherspoons which looks like it'll be nice. But the town is struggling. There are a lot of shops that have closed down now because everyone is shopping online.' Ms Christian added: 'You only have to walk through it. There are homeless people and people up to no good. But I think most towns are like that. It's an issue everywhere.'
Official Response
Conwy County Borough Council said: 'Colwyn Bay has seen significant investment in recent years, with improvements to the promenade, public spaces and town centre, alongside support for local businesses. We continue to work with partners to build on this investment, support local businesses and ensure the town remains an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.'
Inspector Kris Hunt of North Wales Police reported: 'Over the last year, Colwyn Bay has seen a nearly 14% reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB), with most incidents relating to low-level nuisance behaviour, and drug related offences. During the same period, there has been a 3% increase in reports of low-level violence, such as common assault. However, serious violence has fallen significantly, with offences resulting in significant injury reducing by 50%. While we recognise that any incident of crime can have an impact on those affected, the overall picture shows positive progress in reducing ASB and serious violence.' He added that the force is developing systems to monitor and identify hotspots proactively.
