POLICE came under attack as they tried to break up a teenage gang fight.

Young thugs hurled a heavy metal grate down on a police car and pelted officers with stones in Newport.

Now police are planning a major clampdown - and warn it could lead to people being evicted from the Ringland estate.

The frightening incident happened at the Ringland Centre, on Thursday night, where the two officers - a man and a woman - were called to break up a gang fight.

Youths smashed the car window, then dropped the grate from a raised walkway onto the bonnet as the police stood beside it.

And as police later investigated the incident, they were stoned by a group of youths in Cot Farm Circle.

None of the officers was injured and police took a number of names and addresses of youths in the area of the attack.

Inspector Simon Jefferies, of Alway, said police had not lost control of the situation - but warned they were cracking down on thuggish behaviour in the area.

He added: "This is unusual behaviour but I am very concerned about the incident. Although officers weren't injured there was potential for injury to be caused.

"As a result of this Alway police will be conducting high-profile patrols in the area over the next few weeks.

"We want the names and addresses of troublemakers in order to start the anti-social behaviour order process, and we will pursue any possibility of eviction with our partners in the local authority.

"We have already visited some of the parents of these youths and when they have been informed of the behaviour of their children many of the parents have been supportive," said Inspector Jefferies.

"This goes to show the importance of parents knowing where their children are and what activities they are engaged in."

Police have been working closely with youth groups.

"We have had successes," he added. "The Chillout Zone, which is near the Ringland Centre, is a place where facilities have been provided for youths to engage in more constructive behaviour."

l A youth has been arrested and charged with threatening behaviour in relation to the incident.