ANGRY Newport traders could refuse to pay their business rates because they are sick of gangs of hoodie-wearing youths causing havoc.

Traders in the Handpost area of Stow Hill say teenagers as young as 13 are taking drugs and lighting fires on shop roofs, vandalising their buildings, shoplifting and hurling abuse at passers-by.

In the latest attack on Wednesday night, St David's Foundation's shop window was smashed.

Gerry Whitcomb, 59, owner of Huttons Wine Merchants, said if the problems continue she might stop making the payments.

She said: "I might not pay, they are already too high."

Her last bill for the year was for £2,820.

"They (the teenagers) shoplift two to three times a week and the bad language and intimidation is just dreadful," she said.

Tracy Stokes-Whiting, 43, who has owned Handpost Florists for four years, said she had just suffered her third break-in when about £500 of goods were stolen.

She is demanding talks with Gwent Police as she said not enough action is being taken. But officers say they have taken steps to ease unruly behaviour.

"Enough is enough - the law seems to be on the criminal's side," said Mrs Stokes-Whiting. "The teenagers are making our lives hell and the last burglary was the final straw. I'm trying to make an appointment to see the chief inspector because we want something done about it.

"It makes you wonder why we pay our business rates."

Mrs Stokes-Whiting said she had also heard stories of pensioners having their purses snatched as they waited for a bus.

John Fitzgerald, 52, owner of Handpost Physiotherapy, said youths were drinking, taking drugs and lighting fires on the shop roofs.

And Keith Moon, 49, landlord of the Handpost Pub, said about two weeks ago graffiti was daubed on the walls of his toilets and a wall-mounted heater was torn down.

Councillor Laura Buchanan-Smith, who works at the Friends of St Anne's Hospice shop, said gangs had targeted about 25 businesses in the area.

With Councillor Matthew Evans, she is campaigning for CCTV cameras to be installed.

"We've had two break-ins and a fire in the store shed," she said. "The cameras will help deter them."

A spokesman for Gwent Police said they had spoken to traders about the problems.

"We will be back in touch to discuss the situation," she said. "We have additional patrols in the area and there are dedicated ward officers and Police Community Support Officers.

"We always encourage anyone with any issues to contact us or their local officers so that appropriate action can be taken."

A spokesman for the council warned that any trader who does not pay business rates could face court action.