27 June 2008
A four-day operation in Aberbargoed has been held to help reduce anti-social behaviour and underage drinking.
On their patrols of the area, the Neighbourhood Policing Team seized 40 cans and bottles of alcohol from underage drinkers and made one arrest for assault.
The parents and guardians of 16 young people that were stopped during the operation have been sent letters to make them aware of their child's involvement in underage drinking.
Caerphilly Council's Community Safety Wardens joined the Neighbourhood Policing Team on their patrols of the area, whilst the Council's mobile CCTV van was used to help monitor any disorder.
Targeting underage drinking around the areas of Commercial Street and in the park between Yew Street and Cwrt Coch Street, is a current PACT (Partnership and Communities Together) priority for Aberbargoed. The team patrolled these areas during the operation, as well as other parts of Aberbargoed.
During the four days throughout June, officers were also on the look out for various traffic offences.
In total, six vehicles have been reported to the DVLA for not having tax, eight Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for illegal parking and one Fixed Penalty Notice was given to a driver for not wearing a seatbelt.
An off-road vehicle was also seized by officers for anti-social driving and another three drivers received formal warnings (section 59 notices). If they receive another warning in the next 12 months, then they can have their vehicle seized and crushed.
This latest Aberbargoed Neighbourhood Policing Team operation follows on from an operation in March and April, when officers made 15 arrests, issued 22 Anti-Social Behaviour Order referrals and conducted 30 stop searches.
Aberbargoed Neighbourhood Officer, PC Nick Thomas, said: "Our latest operation in Aberbargoed has been in response to residents concerns about underage drinking and subsequent anti-social behaviour, which have been highlighted through PACT. It is only a minority of young people who are taking part in this sort of behaviour, but it's important that through action such as this, we send a clear message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."
Caerphilly County Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman, said: "Recent PACT Meetings for the Aberbargoed area have highlighted anti social behaviour and underage drinking as being primary areas of concern for local residents. By undertaking joint operations such as the one recently, we are sending out the unified message that anti social behaviour and underage drinking will not be tolerated in our area.
"Our team of Community Safety Wardens have worked tirelessly with colleagues at Gwent Police on this, and numerous other occasions to both address anti social behaviour and underage drinking and to show a uniformed presence on the streets, thus providing a reassurance to local residents."
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