INCIDENTS in Blackwood bus station have more than doubled in the last six months, with one business owner saying fights and drugusers are scaring customers away.

Jim Edwards of the Plaza Café called for action, saying his trade is down 10 per cent because of drug users and youths congregating, while there are regular fights, including a recent incident where a bottle was used and the station was closed off for three hours while police investigated.

Mr Edwards believes the problems stem from Caerphilly council removing a toilet attendant from the bus station.

He said this acted as a deterrent to drug users and other youths loitering in the area, with incidents rising since.

Figures from Gwent Police showthat between April and September 2011, there were 18 incidents of anti-social behaviour at the bus station and 10 crime-related incidents.

However, between October 2011 and March 2012, these figures have risen to 48 incidents of anti-social behaviour and 24 crime-related incidents.

Mr Edwards, who has run his café for over four years called the situation “very, very dangerous”, with some youngsters carrying knives.

He called for the return of the attendant, saying: “We have seen so many fights, while we have had to break down the toilet door to help drug users.”

Sergeant Neil Jones of Blackwood neighbourhood police team said meetings have taken place with business owners, police and council officials to discuss the situation.

He added: “Officers have increased their patrols of the area and we have particularly targeted repeat offenders to reduce levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Sgt Jones added the issue will reassessed at another meeting later this month.

‘We work with police’

A SPOKESMAN for Caerphilly council said: “The council is aware of problems in the vicinity of the bus station and we are working closely with the police to address these issues.

“A number of measures have been agreed including increased patrols and ongoing use of CCTV cameras to monitor the site.”

He added that attendants were removed from all local authority-owned toilets at the start of the 2010/11 financial year, a move which saved more than £130,000 per year.