POLICE swooped to issue on-the-spot fines to eight known trouble-makers who have made Gwent residents' lives "hell".

Six men, one woman, and a 17-year-old youth were targeted by officers after their booze-fuelled antics were captured on film by covert video surveillance around the George Street area of Pontnewynydd.

They were seen urinating on houses, holding late-night parties on the streets and leaving large amounts of litter.

The offenders, most of whom were in their early 20s, were visited at their homes and taken to Pontypool Police Station on Friday night. They accepted £80 on-the-spot fines for public disorder offences.

Last month, community safety bosses told the Argus they were considering seeking a drink ban and dispersal area after residents demanded action be taken against the gangs of up to 50 people.

Residents said they were too frightened of retribution attacks to be named but insisted something had to be done to stop the abuse from gangs.

Torfaen Community Safety Partnership leader Dave Jeremiah said children as young as 12 were drinking openly in the streets, with a handful of tenants holding all-night parties. Residents have reported continuous vandalism, abuse and threats.

The yobs fined have been warned they face further punishment and criminal court proceedings. Two were from the George Street area while the others lived in surrounding villages.

A George Street Residents Association spokesman, who did not wish to be named, said: "This is a step in the right direction. These gangs are verbally and physically intimidating elderly people.

"They have made people's lives hell."

Councillor Ivor Davies, who lives in Pontnewynydd, backed action by the police and council, saying it was urgently needed.

"These people want to cause as much damage and intimidation as possible."

PC Andy Cleaton, from Pontypool police, said: "These people do not know how to behave and have no clue how they impact on others whose lives are made a nightmare."

Gwyneira Clark, Torfaen council's executive member for housing and community safety, said the operation sent out the message that anti-social behaviour will not be accepted.

"We have experienced difficulties in this area for some time. I am therefore delighted with the focused and co-ordinated efforts of the council's community safety officers and Gwent Police.

Police reported no complaints in George Street during the weekend following Friday's operation.