War on yobs (From Penarth Times)

War on yobs

PENARTH'S streets are being swept clean of vandalism, graffiti and unruly behaviour, in a police clamp-down on trouble-makers.

On Monday night, officers increased their presence in the Maesfield Avenue, Shakespeare Avenue and Tennyson Road areas as they delivered questionnaires to more than 300 homes.

Police have gathered direct evidence that a number of young people are disturbing the neighbourhood. However, there have also been accounts that the same people may have committed acts, which have not been reported.

Officers now want to encourage residents to report trouble.

The Vale of Glamorgan Community Safety Partnership is made up of South Wales Police, the Vale of Glamorgan Council, housing associations, education, environmental health, youth offending teams, the fire service and voluntary services. Together, the agencies are using powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act to implement a four-pronged attack.

The first stage is the referral letter: the anti-social behaviour is recorded and the person is informed it is unacceptable. If they ignore this, they are sent another letter, which informs them they will receive a visit by partnership officers.

At stage three, they will be asked to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract. The last stage is an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO). Failure to carry out the conditions of an order is an offence punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, a fine up to £5,000, or both. Three people in Penarth are already the subject of a stage two ASBO.

Sector Inspector Huw Smart, said: 'I would like to encourage residents in this area to return their questionnaires - these will be treated in complete confidence. It is only by gathering such information that the police and the Vale of Glamorgan Council can take positive action against a small number of people who cause misery in the lives of many more.'