A PENSIONER who refuses to leave her house after dark is demanding action to curb anti-social behaviour in a pathway alongside her house.

Valerie Young, who lives on Albert Terrace, Newport, has claimed that she is unable to use a pathway near her house because she “doesn’t feel safe walking there”. The 67-year-old said she has seen “all sorts of things” on the path which includes unconscious drug takers to vandals damaging walls.

Miss Young said: “I’ve come across passed out people with needles next to them. I refuse to go out at night because I don’t know what could happen.

“There’s also graffiti and youths hanging around there. Because of all these things when I’m going to town I go the long way round, rather than use the pathway.”

Miss Young believes CCTV cameras and street lights being placed along the path would help combat anti-social behaviour.

She said:“I’ve been reporting these things to the police and council and nothing has been done.

“If there were cameras and lights the culprits would be caught.”

Miss Young’s son, Christian Young-Parsons, who lives in Caerleon, added that he’s concerned for his mother.

He said: “The anti-social behaviour is awful. We’ve had to put a chain with a lock on her bin because youths were dumping rubbish on the path.

“A few times we’ve found cans on fire. What happens if this fire spreads?”

Local police inspector, Robert Jenkins, said an incident had been reported on August 6, where officers were deployed.

He said: “On arrival the known male stated he was ‘sleeping rough’ and did not require any further assistance. I have tasked my officers to patrol the city centre and identify those individuals in order to divert them away from this path and assist to signpost them towards support.

“Anti-social behaviour remains a ward priority. I am aware of a local resident’s concerns.”

He added that people can report any concerns to 101.

A spokeswoman from Newport City Council said a complaint relating to Albert Terrace had been received and added that the council takes anti-social behaviour “seriously”.

She said: “In the light of this complaint we will investigate further.

“The council can look into the provision of CCTV cameras however this is only feasible in certain locations and in dealing with certain types of anti-social behaviour.”