THE FIRST prosecution has been made following the introduction of a ban to stop aggressive begging near cash points in Newport city centre.

Newport council agreed to make a controversial order to stop intimidating begging within 10 metres of cash machines last summer.

A civil liberties group called the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) "cruel and unfair", while

Newport Conservatives said the scheme did not go far enough to tackle the problem

But Inspector Nigel Lewis, of Gwent Police, told councillors at a meeting on Tuesday that the order is proving effective.

"The PSPO that has been in the city centre is working very well," said Inspector Lewis.

"My officers are targeting anybody that is begging aggressively in and around cash points."

Inspector Lewis, who covers the city centre, said police have made one prosecution for breaching the ban so far.

Police said the person was continually breaching the restriction.

"He is breaching and has been to prison for it," Inspector Lewis said.

"That is the only person that we have had breach the PSPO currently so they are being dealt with successfully and we are issuing notices on a regular basis."

Newport Independent Party councillor Chris Evans said he was concerned that the order risks "criminalising people for being vulnerable."

"If somebody is behaving violently they should be dealt with by the law," Cllr Evans said.

"However I do not welcome - not knowing the details of the case - the fact somebody has been given an order and has then gone to prison for being poor, having nothing and potentially is a victim of a society we have created."

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But Gwent Police Chief Superintendent Ian Roberts stressed the force tries to strike a balance between supporting vulnerable people and appropriate enforcement of the order.

Cllr Matthew Evans, leader of the council's Conservative group, said he was "not convinced" the order was working effectively, adding that he had noticed a "marked increase" in begging in the city centre.

Cllr Evans also voiced concerns over anti-social behaviour incidents in the city centre, raising worries that people did not feel safe.

However anti-social behaviour incidents in the city centre have reduced by 13.7 per cent over the last four months, the meeting heard.

Chief Constable Julian Williams said a precept rise to help pay for 40 new police officers could help to further reduce the issue.

Gwent Police were contacted for further details.