News RSS Feed


Police op exposes Newport's booze kids

12:10pm Friday 9th May 2008

comment Comments (32)   Have your say »


A GIRL of 13 nearly dies after a drinking session, children as young as 12 caught with booze in the street, shopkeers face legal action for selling alcohol to the underages and 40 youngsters are seen drinking and fighting during a police operation - these are Newport's booze kids.

These shocking incidents were revealed as details were given of one of Wales' largest ever crackdowns on underage drinking and antisocial behaviour on the Gaer estate in Newport.

Up to 40 teenagers and a number of traders are now facing legal action.

An on-going joint operation involving trading standards, community safety wardens and Gwent Police followed the intensification of problems with youths and alcohol-related disorder.

It escalated to the point where the 13-year-old needed her stomach pumped twice due to alcohol which was allegedly traced to local shops.

Responding to demand from the community, a major intelligence-gathering operation took place in the past few weeks focussing on the area around Gaer shops, Hillview flats, the community centre, and Dickens Drive.

Community safety wardens carried out covert surveillance where they recorded widespread cases of drink-related disorder.

Footage recorded 65 offences of youths drinking, 60 offences of urinating, 51 cases of under-age purchasing of alcohol, plus numerous breaches of ASBOs and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs).

There were also two drug offences.

Wardens and police confiscated large amounts of alcohol from youths and during the operation there was a marked decline in offending.

Trading standards officers are now targeting traders believed to be selling alcohol to underage youths, either directly or from adults buying drink for them.

Helen Wilkie, the council's public protection manager, said: "The surveillance footage we have gathered shows the shocking extent of the problems that are blighting the lives of people living in this area."

She explained it was not going to be an isolated operation, and traders selling alcohol to young people should know they were already looking at similar operations in other areas.

Sergeant Martyn Smith, of Newport central neighbourhood policing team, said: "We're determined to tackle irresponsible licensees who betray the very communities they claim to serve."

Home Office statistics showed a third of all young offenders involved in criminal damage and vandalism were under the influence of alcohol, he added.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith yesterday called for stronger action to be taken against young troublemakers.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourSouth Wales Argus

BT, newport says...
12:39pm Fri 9 May 08

Where are these teanagers parents? Why are they not asking questions when their young teenagers arrive home intoxicated? . The sale of alchohol to underage teenagers is a police issue, however the fact the teenagers are buying and drinking is a parenting issue and responsibility of what they children are up to!!

Report this post »

js, cardiff says...
12:53pm Fri 9 May 08

i expect the parents are also intoxicated somewhere - what a country- bring back the days when these little b@astards were punished properly

Report this post »

mrs jo, newport says...
1:22pm Fri 9 May 08

THE PROBLEMS IS, AS LONG AS THESE LITTLE SO AND SO'S ARE NOT INTERFERING WITH THEIR PARENTS SOCIAL LIVES, THEN THE PARENTS DON'T SEEM TO CARE. THERE IS NO WAY ON GODS EARTH THAT A CHILD OF 13 SHOULD BE HAVING HER STOMACH PUMPED ONCE, LET ALONE TWICE. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING IN THESE KIDS HEADS! THEY CERTAINLY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THE BRAINS GOD GAVE GEESE! THE POLICE NEED TO GET TOUGH, THEN AGAIN SO DO THE COURTS! MORE THAN JUST A SLAP ON THE WRIST FOR THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS!

Report this post »

Oddjob, Monmouthshire says...
1:33pm Fri 9 May 08

As welcome as this initiative is, it's a pity that the authorities didn't have this crack down five years ago. It's nothing new on the Gear, and I'm sure in most other estates in Zooport. A lot of heartache could have been avoided.

Report this post »

Chris, says...
1:36pm Fri 9 May 08

I hope the law comes down hard on the traders selling the stuff, the kids, and their parents.

Report this post »

LJ, newport says...
1:44pm Fri 9 May 08

I totally blame the parents, these kids should never be out drinking, these parents obviously dont care about there kids. I say make parents take responsibility, hit em where it hurts, FINE THEM. They would be eager to know what their kids are doing then.

Report this post »

truth hurts, newport says...
1:55pm Fri 9 May 08

never mind the gear they should patrol along corporation road and cromwell road the booze being sold to underage kids is riff

Report this post »

DG, Newport says...
3:25pm Fri 9 May 08

Well done to the police for this successful operation. I'm quick enough to shout when they don't do a good job, so only seems right to praise them when they do :)

Report this post »

red1, Newport says...
3:42pm Fri 9 May 08

truth hurts wrote:
never mind the gear they should patrol along corporation road and cromwell road the booze being sold to underage kids is riff
**** right just in the last few months our street have had pots of paint thrown over our cars, 3 burgleries, fireworks thrown at our cars & I personally had fireworks thrown directly at me whilst trying to walk my dogs!!! Funny though I haven't seen a police officer ??????

Report this post »

john, home says...
3:46pm Fri 9 May 08

It is very simple, at the moment the kids can create this problem and then get sent home and others pick up the pieces.

They are of the age whereby they know the law, they are aiding and abetting an offence and should know if caught that they will be punished.Just make sure that there is a punishment to fit, come on Labour you have brought in over 3000 laws since you have been in, one more will not make much difference! or will it?

Report this post »

Me, newport says...
4:18pm Fri 9 May 08

why isnt there a cerfuw (if thats how u spell it :S) like in american. the cerfuw should b 9pm and if any children under the age of 16 seen out after that they should be taken home and the parents should be fined. surely that would quiten things down a bit especially if it was policed well and the fine was hefty

Report this post »

BOB, NEWPORT says...
5:20pm Fri 9 May 08

The police & council pretty much ignore it. It is very widesspread in Newport and most shops will sell children booze.

Once in a blue moon the police will pick up a few children and claim what a wonderful job they are doing. They will then disapear for the nexct 12 month.

Go into Newport town centre any day and you will find schoolchildren drinking some even in school uniform. They dont care because they know nothing will be done

Report this post »

Say_it_isnt_so, Newport says...
5:30pm Fri 9 May 08

I know some parents that believe that letting their kids drink in front of them will prevent them from drinking on the streets behind their backs... I personlally think this will encourage it! Alcohol has a legal age limit of 18 for a reason.

Report this post »

gareth white, says...
5:58pm Fri 9 May 08

The general curfew{if thats how you spell it}in the US, is anyone under 16 found out in a public place without an adult present will be taken home. This includes young teen drivers who are legally allowed to drive at 16.

Report this post »

Mervyn James, says...
7:58pm Fri 9 May 08

I'm not a bit surprised. Evry corner shop is floor to ceileing with booze, they wouldn't be doing that if nobody bought it. It shows Mmany people and nttheir kids in Newport aer rarely sober at any time of day, it's cheaper to drink booze than water, that's fact. Newport has a long history of drunkeness,that streaches back 300 years, the papers of the day mirror exactly the ARgus headlines now,so nothing has changed. The police and counils are not pro-active enough, they are still NOT closing down off licnces that sell to children, or put a total limit on the amount of shops able to get a licence to sell booze. we need 'zoning' at Newport outside the city immediate centre, ONE shop selling booze, per 5,000 people. Town centre an absolute limit on the number of pubs and clubs that can be set up too. 24hr drinking has failed miserably, and created more drunks. People who can't hold their drink should never get access to it.

Report this post »

john, says...
8:41pm Fri 9 May 08

What kind of people run these off licenses, are they scared to refuse these kids.
If they are they should not be doing the job
Or is the wage at the end of the week more important than the suffering these kids inflict on themselves and others.
A complete ban should be served on all these quick buck sell anything to anyone off-licence stores.
Shop owners are no more than drug dealers selling to kids.
At any point in a day or night the police can catch these shop owners but they don’t bother.
When they are caught they no there doing wrong they should be banned
The shop should be black listed’ so its not passed to another family member
We all no the majority of shop owners are Asian these days and its about 95% of British kids that are drunk.
British kids must look rather discussing to other communities.
Cart all these drunks teens up and ship them off to sully island for a few weeks.
I agree there should be a curfew.
If there caught out especially drunk. They should be tazered all the way home
Jilted john .

Report this post »

john, says...
8:44pm Fri 9 May 08

What kind of people run these off licenses, are they scared to refuse these kids.
If they are they should not be doing the job
Or is the wage at the end of the week more important than the suffering these kids inflict on themselves and others.
A complete ban should be served on all these quick buck sell anything to anyone off-licence stores.
Shop owners are no more than drug dealers selling to kids.
At any point in a day or night the police can catch these shop owners but they don’t bother.
When they are caught they no there doing wrong they should be banned
The shop should be black listed’ so its not passed to another family member
We all no the majority of shop owners are Asian these days and its about 95% of British kids that are drunk.
British kids must look rather discussing to other communities.
Cart all these drunks teens up and ship them off to sully island for a few weeks.
I agree there should be a curfew.
If there caught out especially drunk. They should be tazered all the way home
Jilted john .

Report this post »

BD, Somewhere in Gwent says...
9:09pm Fri 9 May 08

hate to bring up a minor point here, but no hospital has pumped anyones stomach for at least 10 years.

Report this post »

tinribs, Newport says...
9:45pm Fri 9 May 08

Once I loved living in this City, like a lot of people i know it's being ruined by yobs of all ages. The little F**kers broke in to my house scared my little dog so much he followed me around for a week and stole anything they could sell quickly for drugs or booze. Police say they know whou did it but are still trying to prove it, meanwhile we lost about £3k worth of stuff. Somebody even saw them and described them to the police. They were teenagers 15 year old's that should be in school or prison or better still boot camp. Drink, drugs, car crime it's all the same to them they have no respect for other people end of. i can see the day when someone takes this in to their own hands and really hurts these kids should the Argus not be starting a campaign against these low life who ruin our City for the rest of us. Get the Government to sort this out, it will be the best thing they can do for the country.

Report this post »

mad_taff, newport says...
12:53am Sat 10 May 08

I know an officer involved in the operation, who set it up and only then did the police and trading standards take any notice! I know people knock the wardens, but doesn't it seem strange that now it was succsessful the police are claiming it was their idea? be interesting to ask how many police officers were attatched to the op? as opposed to how many wardens.I'll remember to ask at the next neighbourhood meeting......you might be surprised at the LACK of police resources allocated to ' seriously tackle antisocial behavior' the wardens for those that don't know are council not police....! interesting.

Report this post »

Welsh_Lass, Gwent says...
2:20am Sat 10 May 08

Well done to the Community Safety Warden(s) for initiating this op and the results that it produced. Lets hope the Gaer Estate will be a better place for it!

Report this post »

Oddjob, Monmouthshire says...
10:12am Sat 10 May 08

mad_taff wrote:
I know an officer involved in the operation, who set it up and only then did the police and trading standards take any notice! I know people knock the wardens, but doesn't it seem strange that now it was succsessful the police are claiming it was their idea? be interesting to ask how many police officers were attatched to the op? as opposed to how many wardens.I'll remember to ask at the next neighbourhood meeting......you might be surprised at the LACK of police resources allocated to ' seriously tackle antisocial behavior' the wardens for those that don't know are council not police....! interesting.
Thanks for clarifying this. Nothing that the police in this town do (or should I say don't do)surprises me anymore. I've witnessed their pathetic performances more that once.

Report this post »

seren_night, newport says...
11:19am Sat 10 May 08

Well you parents of these mini-me's should be totally ashamed of yourselves! Why would you as so-called adults want to inflict your disgusting morals(or more importantly lack of morals) onto these children of yours? Parents who drink to excess should have their kids taken off them so the poor little buggers have a once for a full life and don't all minto the trap of alcholism! and not one full of drink, despair, and an early death!

Report this post »

betty, Newport says...
12:03pm Sat 10 May 08

Mad Taff- You will find it was a multi agency planned event, the police and the wardens worked closely together for a number of nights in the area. They liased with trading standards to try and resolve the problem which has worked well.

The police do work in the area, but the sooner the better that people realise that the vast amounts of paper work that these officers do can prevent them from patrolling the streets as much as they liked. All because if silly targets set by the home office, did you know that when a shop lifter is no arrested, the police have to requests cps advice as to whether it is worthwhile interviewing them !!!! And if CPS the duration of the wait can be hours therefore preventing police from patrolling.

People who moan that they dont see police, well answer me 1 question do you stand at you window 24 hours a day to check !!! I dont think so, so wind you neck in.

Report this post »

mad_taff, newport says...
2:53pm Sat 10 May 08

I'm not knocking the police betty, in fact i agree with your sentiments.
The less paprework to justify the jobsworths elsewhere the better.
The police do a dangerous and difficult job, usually to see all their work thrown out by a paper sifting lawyer who just want to drink from the trough.
The local police, wardens & pcso's working in the area need our support, who know's this could lead the way for other areas to take notice. But to end it all, as previously stated by others...'where's mum & dad in all this'? after the youths have been dealt with, maybe we ought to be looking at them, after all the fruit never falls far from the tree.

Report this post »

mouth, newport says...
8:05pm Sat 10 May 08

This is not just a Newport problem, it is everywhere in the UK. The people who keep knocking newport still live here because they know other places have similar problems. Agree that parents need to be responsible for their kids actions - so many parents lack parent skills today and it should be taught at schools

Report this post »

Simon, Newport says...
8:38pm Sat 10 May 08

Parenting skills???? How much parenting skill does it take to smell alcohol on the breath of your child when you speak to them????

Or perhaps therein lies the problem...

Report this post »

dave, newport says...
12:12am Sun 11 May 08

BT wrote:
Where are these teanagers parents? Why are they not asking questions when their young teenagers arrive home intoxicated? . The sale of alchohol to underage teenagers is a police issue, however the fact the teenagers are buying and drinking is a parenting issue and responsibility of what they children are up to!!
dont mean to b funny i lived in careleon for a long time & noticed all the teens that sat outsidde shops drinking had been droped of by there parents (with a bag in hand full of cans)so most of the parents know what thay are up to thay just dont want to admite it (so plz dont ask why parents dont konw what kids are up 2)

Report this post »

dave, newport says...
12:14am Sun 11 May 08

sorry about spelling it is 12 in the morning need sleep

Report this post »

Tinkerbell, unknown says...
9:56pm Mon 12 May 08

i partly agree with what you have all said.
however, not all teenagers are the same in newport. the majority of kids are well behaved and yes they might like the occassional drink but they dont do it in public and they dont broadcast for everyone 2 see. i think the way that you talk about teenagers all being the same is rude because they are not the same some are well behaved and yes if the parents controlled the kids properly then we wouldnt have this nuisance. i blame the parents. i also think that there should be more police officers patrolling areas of newport and ensuring that the bad kids are kept under control or taken home to let the parents sort them out as they are beginning to become a nuisance to locals etc...

Report this post »

xclarex, Bettws says...
1:15am Thu 15 May 08

Say_it_isnt_so wrote:
I know some parents that believe that letting their kids drink in front of them will prevent them from drinking on the streets behind their backs... I personlally think this will encourage it! Alcohol has a legal age limit of 18 for a reason.
the age limit of 18 is to BUY alcohol. i remember looking through a law book before and it stated that as long as the child was in their own home, with a parent, the minimum age was 5. And i just checked that on wikipedia. 5!! Do they even know what alcohol is??? My mum used to let me drink when she was around, when i was 15. now i'm 24 and i have to admit i dont drink that often. However, i work in a pub and after seeing some of the states of people in there i wouldn't want to drink!! I agree with the curfew, all kids under 18 in before 9pm. parents get fined if their kids are anti-social / drunk etc etc. they'll soon put a stop to it!!

Report this post »

xclarex, Bettws says...
1:22am Thu 15 May 08

To Jilted John: I think we know what kind of people run these shops which knowingly sell alcohol to underagers. At the end of their day its money. Its the same kind of people who want something for nothing, but they charge £1.50 for a pint of milk!

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

Some of the youngsters caught on CCTV drinking openly in public in the Gaer during the police crackdown Some of the youngsters caught on CCTV drinking openly in public in the Gaer during the police crackdown

In this section

Essential Links

Sponsored Links



Local Advertisers


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »