RESIDENTS in a community plagued by yobs are being urged to come forward and report troublemakers.

The call from Torfaen council's community safety partnership manager Dave Jeremiah comes after two young yobs were given tough anti-social behaviour orders.

Lee Jones, 13, of the Woodlands, Penygarn, and Kyle Baker, 12, formerly of the Woodlands, were made the subject of ASBOs by Abergavenny magistrates on Tuesday, following two hearings brought jointly by Torfaen council and Gwent Police.

At the hearing the court heard how Baker, now of Elm Road, Llanharry, threatened a council worker with a spade. His family was evicted from the Woodlands in November by Torfaen council.

The court was also told how Lee Jones launched a firework at a police car and threw a stone at a local teacher's car.

Both were banned from parts of Penygarn in Pontypool for three years. Mr Jeremiah said the partnership had focused on the area for nearly a year to try to combat anti-social behaviour.

"We have been encouraged by the fact the community now appear to feel more confident to come forward and assist us in the work we are doing. "It's rewarding to see the work we are doing with ASBOs and other community building activities is paying dividends. We need more residents to speak out about the problems."

Former Woodlands resident Wendy Palmer said she was pleased with the continued action.

As reported in the Argus, Mrs Palmer, 40, her husband Andrew, 44, and six-year-old son Rhys were moved from their home in September after enduring two years of anti-social behaviour.

They suffered harassment and intimidation at the hands of local youths. She said: "We are pleased with what is happening up there. It's too late for us but not for other residents.

"There are some nice families up there but they don't usually last long. We lasted two years but it cost us our home and our health."

"You feel isolated living there. People are too frightened to speak out but if everyone did it would be a safer area to live."