UNDER-AGE drinkers in Torfaen will have their fate decided by a panel of residents and victims of anti-social behaviour.

Any youngsters caught drinking in the borough will be put before a youth panel, made up of residents, victims, business owners and police representatives in a pilot scheme for Gwent.

This panel has the power to determine ‘good behaviour contracts’ for the offenders, stipulating how they should behave. If this contract is breached within the specified time the person will go before the panel again to face further action, which could include being given an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).

Pontypool officers carried out patrols looking for underage drinkers over the weekend leading up to the Diamond Jubilee, and were in New Inn on Friday and Blaenavon on Saturday.

Any youngsters found drinking or who were drunk were taken to Pontypool police station and their parents were called to pick them up.

Over the two nights, 13 youngsters were found drinking or drunk, ten in New Inn and three in Blaenavon.

All of them were issued with warnings and told they face going before the panel if they are caught again. They are also being referred to counselling sessions at an alcohol and drugs workshop.

Community support officer Pauline Lohfink said: “We wanted the people who were directly affected by anti-social behaviour to have a say in how the youngsters were dealt with.”

Thismove comes after a borough- wide Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) was introduced in Torfaen.

As reported previously in the Argus, anyone drinking alcohol in public must stop if asked to by a police or council officer.

If someone is asked to stop drinking and refuses, police then have the power to issue them with a fine.