A NEWPORT estate could be declared a no-go zone by cabbies because drivers fear they are being targeted by gangs of youths.

Mashahid Ali, 31, (pictured) said he is the latest driver to be targeted by a gang of teenagers on the Moorland Park estate.

Mr Ali, who works for Dragon Taxis, was set upon by a gang of youths on Saturday night when he went to the estate to collect a fare.

"I was driving around looking for a house when three or four boys stopped me and asked for a cigarette.

"They opened the door and said were checking out the inside for cash or a phone. The next thing I knew around 12 of them came down the road and surrounded the car.

"I did not know what to do, and thought I was going to be attacked. They had all the doors open and there was not much I could do.

"I just started pushing my horn and luckily some people came out and they ran away."

Mr Ali said it is not the first time that drivers visiting the estate have been targeted. "I know just the other week that a driver was set upon in a similar way and if we do not feel safe then it may be that we will not go to Moorland Park.

"I estimate most drivers do not report these types of incidents but I felt something has to be done to alert other people and also other taxi drivers about the problems around the Moorland Park area.

"People hear a lot about kids attacking buses and that is terrible, but in a way taxi drivers who are often on their own are even more vulnerable.

"We would like reassurances from the police and the rangers that steps are being taken to try to control these youths."

PC Sally Jackson, crime and disorder reduction officer at Maindee, said: "We are conducting a number of operations at the moment in the Broadmead Park, Moorland Park and Somerton areas. We are also improving our communications with the rangers and have our new police community safety officers starting this week in Newport. We are making numerous arrests all the time for youths for anti-social behaviour issues."