POLICE carrying tasers are being used in Cefn Fforest to help crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

The Argus reported last week how residents living near Cefn Fforest Welfare Ground were being forced into a “living hell” because of hundreds of teenagers gathering in the park to drink and vandalise property every Friday and Saturday night.

But officers in Blackwood say they are now taking a “zero-tolerance” approach to anti-social behaviour in Cefn Fforest and the surrounding streets, with officers on patrol last weekend including armed response units carrying tasers.

Gwent Police said 12 Blackwood officers took part in patrols over the weekend on foot, and in marked and unmarked police vehicles.

These included Blackwood’s neighbourhood policing team, special constables and armed response units.

Caerphilly council’s community safety officers and their CCTV van supported the operation, which targeted under-18s drinking unsupervised in public places.

Officers made 40 antisocial behaviour orders, 16 direction to leave orders, seized two vehicles, and collected bottles and cans of alcohol. They also arrested a girl for being drunk and disorderly. She was given a final warning.

Officers called on parents to know the whereabouts of their children over the weekend, sending a text message to all parents at Blackwood Comprehensive School.

Only one call relating to anti-social behaviour was received by police on each night in the Blackwood area.

Neighbourhood policing team inspector Mark Smith said: “I am extremely pleased with the results. We want to remind youths we are taking a strong stance.”

Blackwood town councillor Andrew Farina-Childs, whose house on Twynyffald Road borders Cefn Fforest Welfare Ground, said: “It was the first weekend for months there was peace and quiet.”

Cllr Farina-Childs is collecting signatures for a petition asking Caerphilly council to close the ground at night.