TOUGHER action is to be taken against anti-social behaviour at bus stops across Caerphilly county borough.

Cabinet members at Caerphilly council met today to discuss a report which outlined some of the recurring problems businesses and residents who live near these stations face, including in Blackwood.

The report said Blackwood Bus Station suffers from congregations of homeless substance misusers who make use of the area for seating and shelter.

It said there have been countless incidents where defecation and discarded needles have been found in the waiting area, while people have also been seen injecting and sleeping in the public toilet.

Homelessness support services work “extensively” with these individuals but many are resistant to support, the report said.

It added: “At present there is no ability to prevent individuals sitting in the bus stations all day. Persistent complaints are received from members of the public, local businesses and the taxi trade.

“Enforcement operations are conducted by partners and proactive use is made of the CCTV system, however current resources and legal powers are not sufficient to address the persistent nature of the problems.”

Members agreed to bring in new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), under the new Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, to alleviate anti-social behaviour at the stations, which also included Bargoed, Nelson and Caerphilly.

It means the authority will be able to ban or regulate any activity at the bus stops. The violation of a PSPO is a criminal offence and would result in a fine, and potentially a court appearance.

Among the restrictions people will now face at the Blackwood Bus Station is the banning of “loitering” unless they are waiting for public transport or waiting to meet somebody using public transport.

The orders will be imposed if the council representatives believe people are having a “detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality”. This includes damage to property, anti social behaviour and drinking alcohol in public.