A FACEBOOK group has been launched calling for an end to anti-social behaviour at Newport Bus Station.
It follows an attack on the 15-year-old daughter of Newport Market chairwoman Annette Farmer.
Called 'Stop anti-social behaviour at our bus station and city centre', the group has attracted more than 300 members.
Members say the area has become a hotspot for intimidating anti-social behaviour.
Ms Farmer said: “I started this group after an attack on my daughter, and after speaking with other parents who told me other teenagers have been bullied there and even had phone’s stolen.
“I know that I feel intimidated getting off the bus in town, and a lot of other people I speak to agree.
"There seemed to be less trouble when the buses would stop on High Street.
“The group is in it’s early day, but I would like to think it’s making people more aware about the issue of anti-social behaviour and playing a part in stopping it.”
It is also hoped that the group could see a resident PCSO introduced in the area.
Ms Farmer added: "The bus station has become a magnet for bored teenagers and gangs, acting intimidating and causing trouble. We want people to feel safe using local transport and shopping in our city centre.
“We will not tolerate this behaviour anymore. People need to also be made aware there is CCTV at Friars Walk, and it will be used by police as evidence to prosecute offenders.
“People are fed up of these idiots trying to spoil our city.”
Gwent Police said they are aware of the group.
“We are aware of concerns regarding anti-social and criminal behaviour taking place in the bus station area, predominantly by groups of youths," added a spokeswoman.
"We take this issue very seriously, and have launched a Newport City Centre Tasking Team, made up of one Sergeant and 12 officers, who specifically target individuals we suspect of repeat offending, as part of regular patrols in the Stow Hill ward.
"We want people to be able to go about their lives without worrying about intimidation from gangs of young people."
They added that anyone with concerns - or wishing to report a crime - can call 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, residents can email contact@gwent.pnn.police.uk
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