RESIDENTS in anti-social hot-spots spoke in favour of the police action to tackle the problems.

Audrey Jenkins, 64, of Charles Street, Tredegar, called police dozens of times every week before the order, and even had CCTV cameras installed at her house after yobs caused £2,000 damage to her car last April.

She said: "Since the order, it has been tremendously better, I have hardly made a call in the last six months."

However, there are concerns that when the orders run out, problems may arise again.

Blackwood's order, used to tackle boy-racers, will expire in March, and Independent Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said people fear the car cruisers will return.

He said: "The notice is successful when it's in operation, but once the order is taken off then the problems re-occur.

"Within three months of the end of the last notice in 2006, the problem was back to how it was previously.

Superintendent Peter Keen said the orders were not implemented as a short-term fix, but as part of the work done with the orders, police visit schools to speak with youngsters to help educate them about their actions.

He said: "It's about putting in a long term plan, it's about breaking the habits. It isn't about demonising young people in any way, it's about making sure people understand the importance of their behaviour."

Gwent dispersal areas
  • Pontnewynedd, September 2006 - February 2007, the area surrounding the George Street flats, preceeding six months 100 calls, during the order 50 calls. Reduction of 50%.
  • Garndiffaith December 2007 to June 2008, 70 calls in the six months proceeding and none since November 12.
  • Monmouth, April - September 2006. In 2005, 24 reports, in 2006 (before the order) 10, during the order, four reports. 42% reduction. One report in 2007 and none this year.
  • Abertillery, town centre, June - November 2007. June, 51 reports, November, 34 reports. 34% reduction.
  • West Pontnewydd, Maindee Road shopping area. March - August 2007. 44 reports in February and 15 reports during six month order. 66% reduction.
  • Croesyceiliog, Edlogan Square, June - November 2007, less than ten reports during the order.
  • Tredegar, Church Street, Charles Street and Sirhowy roundabout. July - December 2007, 191 reports in first six months of 2007, 11 in the second half. 94% reduction.
  • Blackwood town centre, July - September 2005, 27 reports in July to none in September.