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A TV debate on crime in Wrexham has been blasted by a police boss for making it sound “more like Baghdad on a bad day”.

BBC Wales released a trailer for The Hour debate programme with local interviewees claiming North Wales’ largest town is plagued with knife crime, fights, drunks, vandals, badly behaved youths and thieves.

The first man interviewed claimed Wrexham needed more armed police on the streets due to “drugs, robberies, rapes” and a “rise of terrorism”.

The programme debating crime in Wrexham fronted by presenter Catrin Nye, is being produced for BBC Wales by independent outfit, Avanti TV, and is due to be shown tonight (March 12) t 10.40pm.

But critics, including North Wales Police Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones who is from Wrexham, claim the taster was “scare mongering” and “cliched and outdated”.

Mr Jones said he initially agreed to be interviewed for the programme, but then pulled out claiming he realised it would be “a hatchet job” on Wrexham.

He said: “I’m afraid the overwhelmingly negative promotional video confirmed all my worst fears when it made the town sound more like Baghdad on a bad day.

“This is a scurrilous attempt to besmirch Wrexham. Of course, the town is not perfect and as a local resident and a former councillor I am fully aware of the challenges.

“But The Hour are over-egging the negatives in a cynical attempt to drum up viewers. Shame on them for this trash TV promotional video.”

Mark Jones, a board member of The Wrexham Supporters Trust Governing Body, said: “Not the Wrexham I know but then it (the BBC) needs to be sensationalist to get viewers.

“The town needs investment not scaremongering rubbish. 1/10th the money thrown at Cardiff would transform the place.

Wrexham County Borough Council Plaid Cymru Cllr Marc Jones, tweeted: “When a broadcaster comes to town with a cliched and outdated agenda. Ignores some real positives that could see the town centre transformed.”

Local Matthew Purlsow added: “Yes there are big problems and issues to tackle, but by far not the worst place to live.”

However BBC Wales bosses insisted the trailer posted on Facebook and Twitter by The Hour team “reflected perceptions of crime in the town.”

A BBC Wales spokesman said: “The Hour is a monthly debate programme which broadcasts from communities across the country. The issues under the spotlight are not exclusive to one community but form part of a Wales-wide discussion.

“The programme from Newport focused on immigration, and matters around social class were discussed in a programme from Llanelli.

“Tonight’s debate about crime takes place in the Wrexham area.”

He added: “The audience for tonight’s programme will reflect a wide range of views on the subject and will include some key decision-makers. We look forward to a lively and engaging debate this evening.”

Avanti TV has been approached for a comment.

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