YOUNG thugs carrying out vandalism attacks and thefts are terrorising a Valleys community.

Frightened locals say they do not feel safe going out alone in Cross Keys at night.

Locals claim gangs of youths who congregate in the Cross Keys Corner and Waunfawr Park areas are to blame.

One Woodward Road resident, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "Pensioners, women and children are too afraid to venture out alone at night and even scared of remaining home alone.

"I came home one night recently to find my wife trembling after someone had tried to come through the back door.

"I've also had the back window of my car smashed and then torched - it was a write-off.

"A girl was assaulted recently, they vandalise public property and I saw them tie up a boy who was about 12 years old in the telephone box and just leave him there.

"There is a street corner culture with these kids and they are all drinking underage." Now more police patrols are planned, to try to end the problems.

"Friday and Saturday nights are the worst when there are about 30 of them, aged between 12 and 17, gathered together and some of them are girls who the boys show off to and try to impress."

John Morgan, aged 35, of Woodward Road, said: "I think someone's going to get killed one day because the older ones ride mopeds and don't really look where they're going.

"Society has changed so much in the last 20 years or so and I don't think it's entirely their fault because there's not much for them to do in the evening. Part of the blame has to be put on the parents because I would want to know where my children have been until late at night."

Detective Constable Debbie Mitson, of Risca police, said patrols in the area were to be stepped up. She said: "The police are taking this problem seriously and we are taking steps to tackle the situation."