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A senior police officer has vowed to tackle “mindless” and “unacceptable” antisocial behaviour in Blackwood – with the town’s deputy mayor saying it “has become worse than the Bronx”.

Gwent Police chief inspector Stevie Warden said officers have increased patrols in the town following a recent rise in antisocial behaviour – and confirmed several people have been arrested.

A new ‘multi-agency operation’ is now in place in the town centre to combat the issue.

CI Warden said: “Our officers continue to work with our community safety partnership to do all we can to tackle antisocial behaviour in the town.

“The bus station, for instance, is one of our known areas for antisocial behaviour and that is factored into our daily patrols and tailored Op Lumley plans.”

‘The Bronx’

The issue has been raised by town council deputy mayor Cllr George Etheridge, who compared Blackwood to the Bronx area of New York City.

Cllr Etheridge said the problem was “out of control”, with a recent town council meeting disrupted by “a group of youths who refused to leave the building”.

He also said elderly residents “have complained about not feeling safe” at the bus station, while bus drivers are “being abused and having things thrown at them”.

Fellow Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge meanwhile has called for a Public Spaces Protection Order to be put in place to deal with the matter.

‘Appropriate action’

CI Warden said: “We are aware of the recent reports of disorder over the last few weeks and councillors’ concerns, and we continue to work collaboratively with partner agencies to tackle this.

“In the last two weeks we’ve issued numerous dispersal orders, arrested and charged a 17-year-old girl for breaching a community protection notice, and we will continue to carry out regular patrols in the area and take appropriate action against antisocial behaviour.”

CI Warden reassured there has been a decrease in antisocial behaviour in Blackwood over recent days, but reiterated “our work does not stop here”.

“Tackling the issue goes beyond just policing,” CI Warden explained.

“We would ask parents, guardians and carers to consider; do you know where your children are socialising, and do you know if they’re involved in what is being reported to us?

“And we urge them to have conversations to help these young people understand that not only are these actions having a negative impact on those around them, that any offences committed by them could negatively impact their futures – whether that’s stopping them from getting their dream job, applying for a car loan, or the chance to travel.”