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"IT'S time to crack down on yobs terrorising our streets" - that's the view of Penarthians fed up with increasing anti social behaviour in the town.

The Penarth Times has run several stories over recent weeks, detailing a catalogue of anti-social behaviour which is blighting the lives of residents of the town.

The latest to speak out is Christian Mears, of Dol Gwartheg on the Regents Gate estate, who believes that placing a ban on drinking in public places would dramatically reduce youth annoyance.

He said: "I report daily to the police about mini motorbikes outside my home - we can't let our children out because of the threat that they will be severely injured or even killed.

"Then you go up into town and see children drinking alcohol in large groups and intimidating people.

"Why don't we ban drinking in public to stop this before we have a serious problem?

"It's about time something was done to crack down on yobs terrorising our streets."

Mr Mears' call comes after the Sun family spoke out in March, of their battle to close an alleyway next to their home, also on the Regents Gate estate, after gangs of yobs set fires in the lane and verbally abused the family.

Then last month, 61-year-old Josette Bevan told the Penarth Times she contemplated sleeping in her hallway after teenagers threw large stones at her bedroom window from a lane on the St Paul's Avenue estate.

And Lavernock Road resident Gavin Seymour called for alleygates to be installed at either end of the troublesome lane, after having two windows smashed by teenagers.

Father of three Mr Mears also thinks parents should take more responsibility for their out-of-control children.

He added: "Do they actually know what their children are doing?

"And if they do, are they proud to be reading about them in the paper each week?

"As a family we have so much to report - my wife has had eggs thrown at her while she was running, and our 12-year-old son has had stones thrown at him.

"I've only lived in Penarth for 18 months but the worsening yob culture is driving us to despair - it even makes us think about moving away from the town."

There are currently four drinking exclusion zones in Penarth - at Alexandra Park, the fields at Cogan Leisure Centre, The Kymin and The Dingle.

And while police chiefs would not confirm if those zones would be extended to other areas of the town, they did warn of a firm line' and fines for persistent anti social behaviour.

Inspector Mark Taylor of Penarth NPT said: "While the majority of people are sensible and considerate, there are a few who gather in the town to drink alcohol and act in an anti social manner - and these people will find the police taking a firm line.

"We want people to enjoy themselves but if they engage in anti social behaviour they will be arrested and charged."

PC Dave Barrett, Licensing Officer for the Vale of Glamorgan, added: "Police and Police Community Support officers have the power to confiscate and dispose of alcohol being consumed within the drinking exclusion zones in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"If a person fails to comply with the request given by the Police Officer or PCSO a Fixed Penalty Notice can be given of £50 and an ASBO referral can be submitted.

"The Police officers also have the power to arrest and charge, and report for summons where the penalty can be increased to £500."

8:59am Thursday 15th May 2008

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