A POLICE sergeant in a Valleys town says officers are winning the war against car cruisers and street disorder.

Blackwood and Pontllanfraith police have seen a "dramatic reduction" in complaints regarding anti-social behaviour in the first three months of the latest crackdown, according to Sergeant Ian Muirhead.

However, critics argue the town's second dispersal order in two years, which runs out in March, is merely a quick fix to a "deep-seated problem".

Dispersal orders give police the right to break up large gatherings in a public place, and order people who do not live in a certain area to leave.

Anyone refusing to comply faces three months imprisonment or a fine of up to £2,500.

Since Caerphilly borough council granted extended these powers to police in Blackwood and Pontllanfraith in October 2007, 583 suspected troublemakers have been moved on from public places.

Officers also stopped 227 cars in a crackdown on the anti-social use of motor vehicles, which has plagued the area for years.

Sgt Muirhead said there had been a significant drop in the amount of motorists congregating alongside their cars.

"Hopefully this is improving the quality of life for local residents," he said.

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said he welcomed the crackdown, which resulted in three people being arrested and cautioned, but warned that it would not be a long-term solution.

"We had a dispersal order in 2006, but when that expired they came back in epidemic proportions," he explained.

"The police have done really well but I'm yet to be convinced that these orders will stamp out the problem of boy racers, which we've had for 25 years."

His argument was echoed by Arthur Bradfield, 53, a Blackwood resident who has campaigned on the issue.

"To break the cycle, there's no easy answer but we need to have more police presence week-in, week-out," said the secondary school teacher.

"I've watched the youngsters go wild in their cars on a Friday and Saturday night, safe in the knowledge that they're not going to be stopped."