CWMBRAN police are warning youths that they are launching a summer crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

A new inspector, Gareth Lynton, has joined the force and one of his aims is to stamp out bad behaviour in housing estates around the town.

Problem areas identified by the police include the Boating Lake, Llanyravon Shops and Pontnewydd Village, and officers expect increased problems with youths in the long school holidays.

One area officers will be targeting is underage drinking, both in the streets and in the pubs. They will be making test purchases at off-licences and fining offenders.

Police are also working with Torfaen council and local housing associations to stamp out unruly behaviour, by threatening to evict tenants if their children create a nuisance.

If parents do not keep their children in order their tenancy may be in jeopardy, police warn.

They will also target young motorists driving dangerously and being a nuisance. Officers have been briefed to look out for vehicles driving erratically.

Offenders will initially be given a warning, and a second caution could mean them losing their vehicle.

PC Darrell Dewar, crime and disorder reduction officer at Cwmbran police, said: "There is going to be a lot of pro-active policing, and we will be using all the powers available to us. If necessary with persistent offenders we will take action to get anti-social behaviour orders imposed."

He added: "We will continue to clamp down on anti-social behaviour so that members of the public can enjoy a decent quality of life and not be scared to go about their daily routines."

The new measures are all available under the Crime and Disorder Act, which seeks to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

Only last month in Torfaen two tearaway brothers were banned from the centre of a village for three years because of their anti-social behaviour.

Ashley and Aaron Black, aged 16 and 17 respectively, of Ty Gwyn Road, Varteg, threatened locals in Garndiffaith and also targeted Abersychan Comprehensive School.