A Blackwood councillor has called for Gwent Police and Caerphilly County Borough Council to put more money into tackling antisocial behaviour in his ward.
Cllr Nigel Dix’s call comes after windows were smashed recently at Blackwood bus station and bins were once again set alight deliberately on Cliff Road.
Cllr Dix, who is an independent councillor, said: “It’s upsetting for the people living in the area and it’s costing taxpayers money in the long-run.
“I am asking the police and the council to try and work together to put the resources in to sort these issues out once and for all.”
A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said the authority continues to support Gwent Police in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour at Blackwood bus station.
He said: “Our team of Community Safety Wardens regularly patrol the site and, along with our CCTV cameras, provide a reassuring presence to the public. We will continue to work closely with the police to help address the problems experienced at this location.”
PC Adam Lang, Gwent Police’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Officer for Blackwood, said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by residents in Blackwood. Myself and my officers are working to tackle the small minority causing this alarm and distress for the community.
“Following recent incidents including bins being set alight and bus stop glass being smashed, we are continuing to carry out enquiries to locate who is responsible for these crimes and will take a zero tolerance approach to anyone putting the public’s safety in jeopardy.
“Antisocial behaviour is a priority for us and we are working with our partners to address such incidents and do patrol the areas regularly. We are working closely with the community to ensure local concerns are reflected as part of our policing plans and priorities.
“I would encourage anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood or witnesses any such incidents to call 101 or 999 in an emergency, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
90% of this senseless behavior which is being committed by wasters and knuckle draggers would be eliminated if we brought back National Service, and we could then eliminate other 10% by stopping the benefit payments of the parents and cutting off their Sky TV.
It would also help if the police actually got up to the bus station and Cliff Road and actually patrolled and showed a presence – a quick drive through is not sufficient.
A physical presence is needed and not a quick drive through or walk through which doesn’t deter these morons.
So come on Gwent Police – Actions speak louder than words,let the public actually see you on patrol.
Sounds good but I don’t think Her Majesty’s Armed Forces would want them. I can’t see that somebody who thinks setting bins on fire is the epitome of fun would be much use in control of advanced weapon systems.
Give them automatic community service, these people make a good reason to bring back national service.
Have you seen how young these children are that hang around in Blackwood at night?
Where are the parents?
Technically we have a three tier police system in place in Caerphilly, and not one of these groups were out on the streets at the time, these fires took place? I know they can’t be everywhere at once but you think once they know there is a problem they would be in this area. We have no police no CPO’s no council wardens on our streets yet we are paying through the nose for these organisations, it’s time we returned to one police force. These other two Mickey Mouse out fits don’t deserve a uniform. We also need a tougher police who are not afraid to be on our streets, and go back to old fashion policing that worked.