A DRIVE to establish more Neighbourhood Watches in Abergavenny is to be launched next month, in a bid to reduce crime in the town.

The ambitious project is aimed at communities that suffer from low-level lawlessness, such as malicious damage, anti-social behaviour and rowdyism.

"We want to help housing estates in the town to work together to combat crime and to report unacceptable behaviour to the police," says PC Andy Charles.

A Together Day ,as part of a Communities First initiative, is planned for May 17, at Abergavenny Thursdays' football ground, Peny-pound, from 6pm-8pm.

The police want to encourage residents to set up Neighbourhood Watches in areas such as Rother Avenue, Underhill Crescent, Hillside, the Grosvenor Road estates and Heol Hamlin.

"These parts of the town have been identified as needing help and support to make residents' lives better," said PC Charles.

"We want to address the problems residents have, such as the use of drugs in their areas, and criminal behaviour, to make them feel safer and to improve their environment."

The police team, led by Abergavenny's new inspector, Marc Budden, are ready to support the Communities First project.

Around 25 Watches, part of the Abergavenny Partnership Against Crime, cover many areas of the town and outlying villages. Bi-monthly meetings are held throughout the year, the next one being at Gilwern, village hall on May 18, starting at 7pm.