POLICING in Abercarn is about to be stepped up with the reopening of the village's police station.

The station, in Gwyddon Road, has not been used for around seven years - but is now due to be open again by the end of this month.

It will be manned by one of Gwent Police's new police community support officers (PCSOs).

Ray Griffiths, pictured, who is presently based at Risca Police Station, will patrol the area from the station and is also planning to run surgeries there - when residents can meet him and talk about any problems in the village.

Abercarn has suffered from anti-social behaviour by youths in recent months and, although police say this has been dealt with, they are hopeful a highly-visible uniformed presence in the village will prevent the problem re-emerging.

Inspector Chris Hocking Brown, of Risca Police Station, said: "The plan is to reinstate Abercarn and put it on the map as a community police station.

"It is Ray's idea to run surgeries and he will be available at the station at certain times of the week. We will advertise the sessions so that people know in advance."

Mr Griffiths will also attend residents' meetings in the area so that the local community gets to know him. Inspector Brown added: "The people of Abercarn and Cwmcarn will be pleased about this.

"A uniformed police presence is what they have asked for and that is what we will be giving them. Ray will be highly visible and a point of contact for them."

There are 15 new PCSOs working in C Division, which includes Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.

They work alongside regular police officers to solve neighbourhood problems, they have uniforms and they carry out high visibility foot patrols in communities.

The officers do not have the same powers as police officers, but they are able to detain people for limited periods and respond to calls for assistance.

Abercarn councillor Ken James said residents in Abercarn and Cwmcarn were delighted with the news.

"We all hope that this can now go forward without a hitch. We are looking forward to seeing it happen, especially the elderly people in the village," he said.

"This should bring local policing to where people want it. The security factor is the main thing - people feel reassured by seeing a uniformed policeman on foot in the vicinity."