Householders in Abergavenny have been challenged by the town’s police chief to become Nosey Parkers in a bid to deter crime.

Inspector Fran Richley, who once worked in London, urged people to “report what you see” to the police and his officers would react.

“Bite the bullet and ring the police if you see anything suspicious,” he urged members of Abergavenny Partnership Against Crime. “This is crucial. We need a group of doers. I want to make a difference.

“Get people in your neighbourhood to do the right thing. Violent crime and burglaries are down in Abergavenny, but we can do better, although our performance is very good.”

Insp Richley added:”Remember to lock doors and don’t leave your Sat Navs in cars. Work with us. Everyone in the town should be Nosey Parkers.”

Referring to dispersal orders brought in to deter drinking alcohol in public places, he said that if youngsters wanted to continue they would always find a way to get drinks.

“If they commit offences while drunk we will act,” said the inspector. “We want to get parents on board in relation to alcohol and try to change the mind set. The biggest problem in the town is not drugs, it’s alcohol.”

There was a possibility of an alcohol exclusion zone being set up but the police want it to be “a tool in the box for use if they have to.”

Insp Richley said the Fairfield car park was a thorn in the side of Abergavenny where young people liked to congregate and about which the police received more telephone calls than anywhere else in the town.

“We have tried though the Cruise Control event in the Fairfield to introduce young people to motor sport by giving them the message of safety without preaching,” he said. It was possible, he added, that mobile CCTV cameras could be used in the Fairfield.