THE head teachers of two Ebbw Vale schools, whose pupils are accused of interschool gang rivalry, say they are backing the police crackdown.

The Argus accompanied officers on an operation to tackle gang problems on Tuesday night.

Police spoke to 52 pupils from Ebbw Vale and Glyncoed comprehensive schools in a bid to end gang problems in the town.

The action follows more than 200 complaints from residents about the fighting youths, who often carry sticks and metal rods.

School heads say they support the police action - but stress the problems are inter-community rivalry rather than inter-school rivalry. Ebbw Vale Comprehensive's head teacher, Mick Fahy, said he was 100 per cent behind the police action.

"The police have visited the school about the trouble, and we keep in close contact with them," he said.

"We are also in contact with Glyncoed, and have warned our pupils that if they are found near the other school they will receive fixed-term exclusions.

"Six pupils received such exclusions last week." But Mr Fahy stressed that the problem was not due to inter-school rivalry. "Although we have had some instances of clashes during lunch-hours, most disturbances have taken place out of school hours," he said.

"I believe the clashes are not because the youths attend different schools, but because they are from different geographicalareas." Colin James, head teacher at Glyncoed Comprehensive, agreed with Mr Fahy.

He said: "The trouble has spilled over from the communities into the schools, and not the other way around."

But Mr James said he, too, supported the police action on Tuesday night when the names and addresses of the youngsters were taken. Their parents will now receive a letter warning that if their child is found in the same situation again they will be subject to an anti-social behaviour order.

Mr James also said he would welcome further liaison with the police to ensure the problem is controlled.

He said: "We support any action that will protect the close-knit community here. We already work closely with local community groups and residents' associations and have built good relations."

Inspector Jon Everett, who led Tuesday night's operation, said it was the first in a number of crackdowns planned to tackle the gangs.