06 May 2008
A month-long operation to target anti-social behaviour in Oakdale has resulted in the arrests of five people.
In total, three were arrested for public order offences, one was arrested for assault and one was arrested for a breach of their curfew.
A further 11 Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) referrals have been sent to the parents or guardians of young people stopped during the operation.
Officers also stopped and searched six young people as part of the operation to limit anti-social behaviour from occurring around the Oakdale Recreation Ground. This is currently a PACT priority for the Penmaen ward.
The Blackwood Neighbourhood Policing Team increased their presence in Oakdale on Friday nights in response to local residents' concerns and seized alcohol from underage drinkers.
The operation was carried out jointly with Caerphilly County Borough Council's CCTV operators and Community Safety Wardens, who increased patrols of the area along with the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Caerphilly County Borough Councils' Trading Standards Officers were also heavily involved to assist with clamping down on the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers.
During the operation, Trading Standards Officers co-ordinated and conducted two test purchases and sales of alcohol were made on both occasions. Those who had sold the alcohol were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices and trading standards officers are carrying out ongoing investigations into the offences.
Penmaen Ward Officer, PC Kristian Herridge, said: "We have certainly seen a decrease in the amount of anti-social behaviour being experienced in Oakdale over the last couple of weeks. This is very pleasing, and I hope that those few individuals who were causing problems for local residents have learnt that this behaviour will not be tolerated. Whilst the operation has been successful, we will continue to proactively police the area and respond to residents' concerns."
Blackwood Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Jonothan Harris, said: "The operation was truly partnership working, targeting the minority who were causing anti-social behaviour as well as the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers. Alcohol did appear to be fuelling some of this behaviour and it's important that we continue to clampdown on the sale of alcohol to young people under the age of 18, as well as proxy sales of alcohol by adults."
Caerphilly County Borough Council's Community Safety Manager, Howard Rees said: "It is targeted operations such as the one carried out in Oakdale recently that really emphasise to the very small minority of people who behave in an anti-social manner that their behaviour will not be accepted. Our residents deserve to live their lives without the threat of anti social behaviour in their neighbourhoods, and through this and indeed future similar operations, we will continue to do our upmost, alongside our partner agencies to ensure that this most definitely is the case."
The next PACT meeting for Penmaen will be held on Tuesday 27 May at 6.30pm at the Oakdale Community Centre.
If you would like to find out more about your local team, details of the current PACT priorities or the date of next PACT meeting in your area, please visit www.gwent.police.uk/localforyou
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