TRADERS in a Cwmbran shopping precinct are hoping a new dispersal order will help put a stop to anti-social behaviour in the area.

Since August last year, Cwmbran Police received 116 calls relating to anti-social behaviour in Fairwater Square, with 43 calls in January alone.

The calls included reports of teenages abusing shopkeepers and members of the public, vandalism, graffiti, thefts from shops and bins being set alight.

As a result of concerns raised by members of the community, police are bringing in a dispersal order for Fairwater Square, which starts today and will run for three months.

Once the three months is up, police will review the order to see if it will be extended.

Rob Strinati, who owns Fairwater Fish and Chip Bar, said: "I think if people are aware that kids are not allowed to hang around the shopping precinct, it will allow people to be a bit more relaxed in that they can come shopping without feeling intimidated. Hopefully it will help encourage people back to the area."

Tracey Richardson, who works in the All Creatures Great and Small charity shop, said: "I know it has been a problem in the past. We are hoping the order's going to make a difference. There are certain times of day when it gets very loud and there's lots of bad language. As long as it's controlled so that people are adhering to it, I think it will help."

Dispersal orders give police officers and PCSOs the power to direct any groups of two or more people, or vehicles, to leave a specified area. Anyone who refuses to leave or returns to the area within 24 hours can be arrested.

Cwmbran crime and disorder reduction officer, PC Darrell Dewar said: "The behaviour of a minority of teenagers in this area can only be described as disgraceful. Law abiding members of the public and residents have been gratuitously abused and that is totally unacceptable. A dispersal order which has been successful in other areas will give officers the extra powers to deal with such offenders.''