THE site warden at Caldicot Castle and Country Park is concerned that youths are starting to take drugs and recklessly drive their cars on the site again, years after the problem first surfaced.

Phillip Marshall told the Argus he has picked up a number of drug packets from the site in recent months which he believes have been left there by those who congregate in cars.

He said Monmouthshire Council had a barrier closure trial, where it prevented access between 8pm and 8am in summer and 5pm and 8.30am in winter.

However, Mr Marsall said the youths can get the alligator teeth there down with twigs, and they congregate, exhibiting anti-social behaviour.

“The site had a terrible reputation for it around six to seven years ago,” he said.

“And it has started to pick up again, which is concerning.

Although I don’t collect the drug packets like I used to there’s normally some there during the summer months and after weekends.”

Castle Lea resident Joan House, 67, said: “I regularly take my granddaughter over there and I am concerned this is going on.”

Kathleen Davies, 68, said she has often been woken by drivers revving their engines at the castle park.

She said: “People don’t want that kind of anti-social behaviour around here.”

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said earlier in the year they received calls, mostly in July and April, about antisocial behaviour corresponding with the nice weather.

In the last nine months they have received 18 calls, she said,17 relating to antisocial behaviour and one relating to drug use, but such behaviour had dropped by 47 per cent compared to the same time last year.

“We would urge local people, if they have any concerns or want to report an incident of this type, to call us directly,” she added.