A NEW CCTV system is to be introduced in Trevethin to stop yobs intimidating staff and customers at local shops.

Police are also seeking a dispersal order to allow them to break up gangs of youths in the area.

The plans, which are in their early stages, were revealed by Superintendent Jon Burley who said: "The shops are a crime hotspot and they have been for some time. We have long-term plans to address that."

The moves come in the wake of continuing criticism from councillors who say levels of policing in Trevethin are far too low and complain of a breakdown in cooperation between the community and police.

But the area's top officer, Divisional Superintendent Joy Lott, disagreed. She said there was growing co-operation to provide long-term solutions to the area's problems .

"I know there are problems in Trevethin," she said. "But councillors want police on every street corner 24 hours a day. That isn't going to happen. We put as many resources as possible in Trevethin.

"We can go up there and arrest people but that isn't going to cure the problems.

"Those problems are significant and it takes a lot more than police work to solve them. There is a much bigger picture here. We have to work through partnerships."

Those include Commun-ities First, local authority agencies and more.

"A lot of people think crime and disorder is purely a police responsibility. That is not the case. I know how frustrated councillors and others get and we are doing our best.

"Getting a sense of public reassurance in the area is my biggest concern. I understand people are intimidated by some individuals.

"They are threatened and afraid to give evidence against them."

Police are drawing up problem profiles which will determine the amount of crime in the area and where hotspots are.

"If those show a disproportionate amount of crime in the area we will have to move extra resources to the area," said Supt Lott.

Councillor John Marshall welcomed the news about CCTV but said: "All we're asking for is cooperation from police.