TRADERS and residents say a gang of youths menacing a Newport community are making their lives a misery.

Arshad Mahmood, 36, claims a group of young thugs cause trouble on Corporation Road every night, damaging property and frightening locals.

Mr Mahmood says the youngsters, who are aged between 12 and 15, smash windows using a football and also break into parked cars.

Maindee police say two youngsters have already been arrested as a result of a crime crackdown in the area - and the Corporation Road area would be targeted by officers again this week.

Mr Mahmood said: "The trouble started about four years ago when a gang of kids just started walking past all the houses and banging on the windows.

"They kick a football as they walk and use it to smash windows. They pretend that they do it by accident."

Mr Mahmood said the gang was intimidating and local traders have now been forced to ban the youths from their shops.

Zubda Ahmed owns a newsagent and accused the gang of being abusive towards her staff.

"They try and get at the top-shelf magazines and the swearing is unrepeatable."

The manager of a nearby kebab house, who did not want to be named, said his workers have been pelted with eggs and even a firework.

"The police don't do much. They don't come straight away and by the time they do arrive the gang has gone."

But Sergeant Rod Grindlay said officers were already acting to end the problems.

He said: "There have been a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour particularly of criminal damage to vehicles. Two juveniles have been arrested and further arrests are anticipated this week.

Maindee officers are aware of and are dealing with the situation and we welcome any information from local people."

Councillor Harry Williams, whose Victoria Ward includes the area, said he knew of the problems there and further up Corporation Road and he was very concerned for the victims.

He raised the matter at the last council meeting with a Newport police officer.

"Apparently they are quite aware of what is going on. There is a gang of about 20 youths causing trouble from what I can gather."

* In the picture: Shop owners Arshad Mahmood, left, and Javed Rana.