POLICE are targeting girl gangs blamed for causing havoc in two Gwent towns.

For the past six months, residents in Caldicot and Magor have been plagued by gangs of teenage girls who gather in the town centres and intimidate and bully passers-by, drink alcohol, swear and even damage property.

Now police say they are going to get tough and two of the girls face possible anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs).

PC Tony Bentham of Magor division said the behaviour of the Caldicot gang had improved, but added: "There are a gang of girls in Magor - the Magor Seven - whose behaviour is raising a cause for concern."

He added that he believed today's "ladette culture" was a major factor in the problem.

Some of the troublemakers are already being considered for assessable behaviour contracts (ABCs) - a voluntary six-month good behaviour contract - and all complaints against the girls are now being logged.

PC Bentham explained: "In an ABC, we speak with the youth involved, draw up conditions such as when they should be indoors, who they should visit and offer support to help change their behaviour.

"If that doesn't work, we assess whether we should go one step further towards an ASBO.

"If they still don't adhere to the conditions of an ASBO, they will be arrested and sent to court."

Kim Young works at Weeks' Fish and Chip shop in Caldicot town centre.

She said: "We have had a lot of trouble with young girls recently. They hang out outside the shop, drink, shout and intimidate customers.

"They even come in and cause problems for us. We have had to call the police four times in the past few months."

Cheryl Ward, who works at the nearby Global Video store, said: "I've seen a lot of problems with girls and boys around here. They sit on the wall outside generally misbehaving."

A spokeswoman for Monmouthshire county council confirmed several young people in the area were being monitored.