A POLICE operation with a “zero tolerance” approach is under way in Brynmawr to tackle a recent surge in anti-social behaviour in the area.

Officers will be patrolling the area in uniform and plain clothes to identify offenders following a sharp rise in reports of anti-social behaviour in the Brynmawr area. Areas affected include Effes Grill on Bailey Street, Warwick Road, Market Square and Lakeside Retail Park.

It comes as figures from South Wales  Fire and Rescue Service revealed that deliberate fires in the area have cost over £9,000 worth of damage.

As part of the operation, there will be a 48-hour dispersal order starting at 6pm today that will cover Market Square, Brynmawr Bus Station, Warwick Road (including the Welfare Park), Bailey Street, Worcester Street, Boundary Street, Beaufort Street, Glamorgan Street, Orchard Street and Chapel Street.

A dispersal order gives police officers and community support officers the powers to direct any groups of two or more people to leave these specified areas. If anyone returns to that area after being moved on, they could be arrested.

Police said there had been 51 calls made by residents reporting a wide range of issues between January 1 and January 20.

Inspector Arwel Hicks said: “Due to persistent anti-social behaviour by various groups over recent weeks in and around the Brynmawr area we are now taking a zero tolerance approach to this issue.

“Incidents have included, snowballs being thrown at passers-by, buildings and vehicles and benches being set alight on Nantywaun Pond. Calls are also focused in and around the town centre. The bus station in the centre of the town has become a meeting point for both local youths and their friends from other towns.

“Alcohol is being consumed and this is fuelling the disorderly behaviour. A number of residents have stated that they will no longer use the bus services in the evening as they feel intimidated by the behaviour of the youths.

“The dispersal order will provide us with further powers to tackle this issue and prevent groups of people from gathering and causing a disturbance, and officers are patrolling the area regularly to enforce the dispersal order and to prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour.”

Additionally South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has tackled deliberate fires in over 10 separate places within the Brynmawr area since October 2014. The most common type of property was benches - one of which was a memorial bench, which was completely destroyed. Deliberate fires in the area have cost over £9,000 worth of property damage.

Dewi Jones, Head of Fire Crime at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said, "The safety of our communities is paramount and we work closely with local partners to ensure that we are able to provide reassurance and take precautionary steps to protect the community.

 

"The recent incidents in Brynmawr are just an example of the types of deliberate fire setting that goes on within our communities and raising awareness of the consequences of this anti-social behaviour is vital. Thankfully no one has been harmed, but that might not always be the case. We are keen to speak to anyone who may have information about the recent fires, this will be treated in confidence by SWFRS staff."

If you see any suspicious activity, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.