
An MP and an AM have met with the Morrisons supermarket in Bargoed to discuss antisocial behaviour in and around the store.
Wayne David MP and Hefin David AM met with store management after it banned children from the shop.
Caerphilly MP Mr David said: “A lot of people have complained about antisocial behaviour and vandalism.
“Hefin and I have met with Morrisons and had assurances from them that they are clamping down on this appalling behaviour and are working closely with the police. We will be monitoring the situation closely over the next few weeks.”
Caerphilly AM Dr David said the store’s management team is “taking these issues seriously” and is “working with the police, the local council and elected representatives to resolve the problem”.
He said: “We will be holding further discussions with the store manager about an action plan. The store also need to clarify which part of the land they own and which is council-owned. Once that confusion has been resolved, further preventative measures can be taken.”
Dr David AM added: “The issue of cleanliness of the site, including the steps into town also needs to be addressed. Residents have shared ideas via my Facebook page and I will be communicating these to the police, the council and the store manager.”
In a Facebook post, a Morrisons staff member highlighted the abuse aimed at managers and security guards at the store and spoke of children “on scooters and bikes, throwing eggs” and “throwing trolleys at cars”.
The staff member also spoke about a customer falling on the escalator because “a kid no older than ten slammed the emergency stop button”.
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “We take the safety of our staff and our customers very seriously. After discussions with the police and local council officials, we have implemented a policy whereby children are not allowed into the store unless accompanied by an adult.
“This will be reviewed on a case by case basis, so where children need to enter the store alone for whatever reason, i.e. they are a young carer or the sole shopper in a household, they will of course still be allowed into the store.”
A Gwent Police spokesperson said : “The local neighbourhood policing team regularly patrol the area, youths have been moved on, antisocial behaviour referrals made and efforts are currently underway to identify those that have been causing problems from CCTV.
“We will continue to work with the store to address any issues.”