BLACKWOOD residents took to the streets last night, pictured, to protest against the area's 'boy racer' problem.

The group, led by local councillor Kevin Etheridge, staged a peaceful protest and occasionally blocked the town's High Street between 7.30pm and 9pm because they said they have "run out of patience" with the so-called cruisers.

They hope that their protest will make the council, cruisers and police sit up and take notice.

Councillor Etheridge said: "The people of Blackwood have endured two decades of nuisance and they have had enough.

"It's great to see people come out on a cold night and be prepared to stand up and be counted."

But Inspector Chris Hocking Brown, of Blackwood police, said he was disappointed that residents felt the need to take direct action as the problem had "diminished considerably" over the past month.

The long-running problem of youngsters driving their cars through the town at speed while playing loud music had started to ease, but recently it seems that a new group of cruisers is now plaguing town.

Councillor Etheridge said: "We are taking this direct action in an attempt to show that this continued nuisance will not be tolerated.

"I hope the cruisers will realise the distress they are causing people."

In November, police launched Operation Sabre, aimed at stamping out the problem of boy racers in the area.

It included targeting known trouble-spots in the town and giving out notices to drivers warning them of new police powers to seize cars if drivers behave anti-socially.

Inspector Hocking Brown said: "Another measure that has been taken is a temporary order on the mini-roundabout at the south end of Blackwood High Street - a traditional turning point for the cruisers who drive up and down the road.

"No U-turns are now allowed there between 7am and 7pm and 17 fixed penalty notices have so far been issued."

But resident Evelyn Chant said the police were not doing enough.

She said: "I'm kept awake night after night by the sound of revving engines and loud music.

"Elderly people feel intimidated by the cruisers. They are dangerous and have no regard for anyone else."