EIGHTEEN dispersal notices were handed out and only one report of anti-social driving was issued during a 48-hour dispersal order in Abergavenny.

The weekend order, which came into force on Friday night, was introduced in the Fairfield Car Park and surrounding streets following an increase in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour.

Gwent Police Community Support Officer, Amanda Yung said the order was a success with 18 notices issued and only one report of anti-social driving at Abergavenny Bus Station.

The order gives police officers and community support officers the power to direct anyone to leave the specified area if they are involved in anti-social behaviour. If they return to that area after being moved on, they face being arrested.

As well as the car park the order also applied to the following roads; Park Road, Park Avenue, Park Lane, Victoria Court and Old Hereford Road.

It was issued by Gwent Police Inspector, Huw Jones in response to an increase in reports of vehicles gathering in the area, and anti-social behaviour and noise caused by large groups of people.

CSO Yung said the response from residents in Park Avenue, Hereford Road and Park Road has been positive.

“They said how lovely it was to be able to go to bed and leave bedroom windows open and not to have to listen to thumping music, horns beeping and screeching wheels.”

“The litter picker from Monmouthshire council has also said there was no litter from discarded take away meals found in the car park on Monday-something which was previously a big problem in the area.”

CSO Yung added: “We have worked tirelessly to engage and talk to cruisers and inform them of the issues and complaints we have received and also worked to give them an opportunity to work with us to come up with solutions to the problem.”

Monmouthshire council is currently carrying out work to install temporary barriers, crocodile ramps and moveable bollards in a bid to stop car cruisers getting into the main part of Fairfield Car Park. Once in place the scheme will run until the end of September and will be reviewed in October.