A team of Gwent Police officers have taken to the streets of Blaenau Gwent alongside 22 new student police officers and Blaenau Gwent Council’s Trading Standards in a joint operation to tackle Anti Social Behaviour.
The operation took place between 6pm and 10pm on Friday, 9th July 2010 in the areas of Abertillery, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale and Tredegar. Officers seized 55 cans, 12 bottles, issued 5 ASBO referrals, 2 individuals were reported relating to underage drinking and 1 person was arrested.
Officers engaged in the operation used new and existing legislations, including Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 and the Policing and Crime Act 2009.
Officers were aiming to minimise the impact of anti-social behaviour on individuals and communities in Blaenau Gwent by targeting individuals under the age of 18 who were drinking unsupervised in public places.
The Council’s Trading Standards officers were out and about to make sure licensed premises were fully complying with the terms of their licence and to remind businesses about the penalties for selling alcohol to anyone under the legal age.
Anti Social Behaviour forms the basis for at least one PACT priority in each of the four towns in Blaenau Gwent – a priority clearly affecting residents that Neighbourhood teams are eager to tackle.
Historically, anti-social behaviour involving young people has increased during the summer months. Better weather, school holidays and longer daylight hours are all thought to contribute in the rise of such behaviour. Typical complaints include: youths drinking in public places, gathering outside local shops, minor damage, and generally being a nuisance.
Sergeant Jason Rowe, who co-ordinated the operation explains: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our new officers to come face to face with the real problems that are affecting their communities. Our intention was to intervene at an early stage to prevent further issues and provide support through a multi-agency approach.
“We targeted individuals under the age of 18 who are drinking unsupervised in public places to reduce the impact of alcohol related crime and disorder on residents within our communities. We want to remind people that officers will take strong enforcement action to tackle this behaviour in Blaenau Gwent, in particular using powers to remove persons under 16 to a place of safety.”
Councillor John Hopkins, Blaenau Gwent Council’s Executive Member for Crime and Disorder said:”This joint operation was a success – we will be planning more. We welcome the new student police officers. They were out on the streets of Blaenau Gwent for the first time and they played their part.
“Safer Blaenau Gwent Community Safety Partnership will be teaming up with them again as we tackle the crime issues that matter to people in our communities. We are responding to the concerns of local people from PACT meetings about anti-social behaviour and underage drinking. Of course, people can get in touch with our Trading Standards team at any time if they have concerns or information about the underage sale of alcohol. Please call us in confidence on 01495 356138.”
