AN INITIATIVE aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour on a troubled estate in the Valleys is under way.

Daily foot patrols are being carried out by officers from Brynmawr police station on the nearby Twyncynghordy estate.

In addition, the housing department of Blaenau Gwent county borough council is looking to enforce the tenancy agreements of problematic residents.

There are also plans to involve locals in transforming the estate by establishing a neighbourhood watch scheme and a tenants and residents association.

The operation, which started last week, will run for another fortnight. In June this year the estate hit the headlines when a member of the council's recycling team was shot through the nose by a youngster with an air gun.

Inspector Brian Thomas, of Brynmawr police station, is hoping the initiative will improve the quality of life for residents on the estate. He said: "Historically there has been anti-social behaviour on the estate, although there haven't been as many problems recently.

"When you get anti-social behaviour it does affect people's quality of life, so what we are trying to do is support the residents by holding daily foot patrols."

Brynmawr councillor Lyn Elias said: "Anti-social behaviour has been a big issue and I'm glad to see we have got a collective exercise with the police to do something about it.

"There has been a noticeable difference on the estate since the initiative began.

"We are hoping to have the problems eradicated soon. "However, if we don't have the co-operation of the residents the exercise will fall flat on its face."

Hedley McCarthy, executive member for community safety, said: "This is an issue wich has been causing concern in the community.

"Councillors and other officers are working together with the police and residents in order to address these concerns. The community has already seen the benefits of this co-operation, and improvements have been evident."