RESIDENTS in a Valleys town are joining forces with police to crack down on trouble-making youths.

People in Blaenavon decided to form a Neighbourhood Watch group after being plagued by vandalism, verbal abuse from youths, under-age drinking and boy racers.

The group, headed by retired army officer Charles James MBE, is due to meet police next month to draw up a plan of action.

Capt James, 70, moved to Blaenavon with his wife and daughter after completing a seven-year stint in troubled Northern Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s.

But the last two years have been tainted by a string of unpleasant incidents including:

* Criminal damage to his front door, after a wooden panel was kicked and broken

* A brake light on his car being deliberately smashed

* Being woken in the middle of the night seven times by banging on his front door.

Capt James said: "My wife comes from Russia and she didn't expect to find this sort of behaviour in this country.

"Hopefully we can identify the people who are making life difficult and get them dealt with by police.

"I've noticed under-age drinking, even drug abuse. I'd like to stop them ruining their own lives, never mind ours."

Alan Styles, 66, and Des Williams, 85, have both lived in Blaenavon since they were born.

They say there has been a "gradual decline in law and order" in the town centre in recent years.

Mr Styles said the problem of boy racers, highlighted in the Argus last month, was not only causing disturbance because of the revving of engines but also raising fears for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road.

He said the worst incident came two weeks ago when a car being chased by police along Broad Street made its getaway by driving over a kerbed grass verge separating the two roads, and on to the A4246.

Councillor Neil Lewis said he would be lending the group his full support. He added: "We really need CCTV in the town but this is certainly a step in the right direction."

Inspector Jo Bull, of Gwent Police, urged residents to report anti-social incidents to police.

"Officers actively encourage communities to set up Neighbourhood Watch schemes and give advice on how these can work to their best advantage.

"We have a dedicated neighbourhood officer who works in Blaenavon along with PCSO's and other officers who carry out regular patrols both on foot and in car," she added.