ARGUS readers have weighed in on the ongoing debate around anti-social behaviour in Newport centre centre.

Earlier this week an open letter from the Newport Business Improvement District pointed the finger at Newport City Council and Gwent Police for escalating violence, anti-social behaviour and street begging in the city centre, sparking off a heated debate.

And Argus readers have had their say on our website and on Facebook, with articles attracting dozens of comments.

Commenting on an online article site user 'I've got a cough' said: "The whole place is out of control. Cutbacks in front line policing, PCSOs who, whilst very nice to chat to, have no real power, and now we have a police commissioner taking his share of the pot taking more money away from the front line.

"It's about time the liberals stopped worrying about who they might offend and actually take action. Never mind discussing it at the next meeting, call an emergency meeting, open to the public, let us voice our concerns then take some action."

'mcnulty38' added: "It seems to me the undesirables have gained a foothold in town now and can pretty much do as they like, they know there's no police around anymore so it's open season for anti-social behaviour."

And 'Monslad' said: "I was considering going to Friars Walk with the wife for a meal and a glass of wine after work (her wine, I'll be driving). After reading this and the other article about the elderly gent being attacked, I'll be giving it a wide berth. I'll pop Into Cwmbran or find a quiet country pub instead."

But 'mario the plumber' had a different take, saying: "I go in most days. I've not been mugged, intimidated, spat at, harassed etc. Just steer clear of the beggars, because rather like the intellectually superior pigeons, if you feed them they'll come back.

"Getting rather bored of hearing cliches like 'no go area', 'zero tolerance', 'ghost town', etc. No one is pretending everything is rosy in the garden but you've got to get on with it."

Readers on Facebook also added their voices.

Bongo Peet said: "If Debbie Wilcox is disappointed by reading a letter imagine how disappointed I am that I can’t walk around my home town and feel safe. Newport needs police and youth workers not career politicians and apathetic councillors, and we need them now, not in two months."

And Elizabeth Orford said: "The council have shut down almost all youth centres and denied almost all youth led projects since 2011. I feel the term 'you reap what you sow' comes to mind."

Tracy Louise Heaven, meanwhile, wrote: "Newport - in particular the town centre - has been out of control for a long time.

"There are key areas that are worse such as in and around the bus station and McDonald's area, but all in all its an unsafe place to be."

She added: "There's not enough police presence and even when police do get involved these kids don't care, they are back out doing the same thing the next day.

"I really don't know what the answer is but I've lived in Newport for 34 years and I've never known it to be this bad.

"I used to feel safe walking anywhere at any time of day or night but I don't feel safe going to my local shop anymore never mind into town."