POLICE in Gwent are clamping down on anti-social drivers and motorcyclists as part of a 'two strikes and you're out' campaign to tackle the problem.

Officers in Cwmbran say they are inundated with complaints from residents about off-road motorbikes, and teenagers wheel spinning and revving car engines in residential areas.

And now they are warning that they are prepared to use new legislation to seize vehicles as part of a tough new campaign.

The legislation has given police the power to confiscate vehicles involved in public nuisance.

Cwmbran's new police inspector, Gareth Lintern, said: "The act allows us to issue warnings to drivers. If another officer sees them doing the same thing he can check if they have had a warning, and then we have the power to confiscate their vehicle.

"And they should know that they will have to pay anything from £105 to a maximum of £375 to get it back.

"If members of the public see people driving cars in an anti-social manner, then we would ask them to note the registration and tell us about it.

"Residents must understand that we cannot just move cars along to somewhere else. If they see cars being driven in an anti-social manner we need evidence from them.

"We are also working to find somewhere for young people to go where they will not upset residents."

And Inspector Lintern said the new powers will be used to tackle the problem of go-peds.

He said: "We also want people to be aware that these powers cover go-peds which we are having a problem with in Cwmbran. People should realise go-peds are classed as vehicles and are subject to the same restrictions.

"They cannot be ridden on the pavement, and users need a licence and helmet. Parents should know this when their children ask them for them. We have the powers to take these vehicles under the same powers we have for cars and motorbikes."