A MOTHER says she is living in fear of gangs of yobs who are making life hell for people living on a Cwmbran estate.

Teresa Pritchard, of Monnow Court, Thornhill, says the area is ruled by youths who tear about the estate on motorbikes shouting abuse and causing vandalism.

Police admit they are "very concerned" at the growing levels of anti-social behaviour in the Monnow Court area and have promised to step up patrols.

Ms Pritchard, who moved to the area last year, said she is scared to let her two children, aged six and four, out to play in the street because of the gangs.

She said: "They whizz around on their bikes tearing the place up. It's bedlam.

"My children are terrified of the bikes. "I have had my door kicked in and my window put through, and they shout abuse at me in the street.

"They act like they rule the place and are making my life hell. "We are all living in fear but people are too scared to come forward. "You can't let your kids outside, that's how bad it is."

PC Darrell Dewar, crime and disorder reduction officer at Cwmbran police, said: "I am very concerned about what is going on in Monnow Court.

"Some of the anti-social behaviour and wanton vandalism there is giving us much cause for concern.

"It's getting to be quite an anti-social behaviour hotspot." He promised more high visibility policing for Monnow Court but said officers need help to tackle the problem.

Angela Cauchi, chairwoman of the Monnow Court Action Group, admitted there were problems on the estate, but said a different approach is needed.

She said: "We need to sit down with the kids, their parents, tenants and the police and talk about what is going on before we get to the situation where Asbos are handed out.

"We are tarring all the kids with the same brush when it's only a handful causing trouble and spurring others on.

"I speak to the kids and ask them why they are doing this and their answer is there's nothing to do.

"I say to them, 'You're not going to get anything if you continue like this.'" Torfaen's community safety partnership is holding meeting with tenants to discuss their concerns.