Pontypool anti-social behaviour crackdown hailed 'a success' (From Free Press Series)

Pontypool anti-social behaviour crackdown hailed 'a success'

5:10pm Thursday 13th September 2012 in News

FORTY-SEVEN youngsters were taken to Pontypool Police Station for their antisocial behaviour over the summer months.

Four anti-social behaviour operations were arranged throughout the summer in Torfaen. During the operations, members of the Pontypool Neighbourhood Team, along with members of St John’s Ambulance and the Youth Service, patrolled areas in Pontypool previously known for high reports of anti-social behaviour – mainly NewInn and Blaenavon.

The anti-social behaviour included incidents of underage drinking, swearing and also anti-social and reckless driving by youths. All youngsters taken to the station were later called before a panel made up of Gwent Police officers, the Youth Service and local residents affected by anti-social behaviour.

Each young offender was spoken to individually and a letter sent to their parents or guardians to inform them of the behaviour and that if their child is seen again acting anti-socially, formal action will be taken.

All young people spoken to for underage drinking will attend an alcohol workshop at The Neon, Blaenavon.

Community Support Officer Pauline Lohfink,who organised the operation, said: “We are pleased that after our first operation we have seen a marked decrease in the number of youngsters drunk or with alcohol in Pontypool.We will be periodically carrying out campaigns to target anti-social behaviour, especially around historically busy times such as Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night.”

Call 101 to report antisocial behaviour or in an emergency dial 999.