A TWO day police operation saw Abergavenny Neighbourhood Policing Team target anti-social behaviour issues in the town.

On Thursday, July 15 and Friday, July 16, police targeted the two main anti-social behaviour issues in Abergavenny; off road bikes and underage drinking.

Officers patrolled areas where reports of off road bikes have been high and stopped drivers and spoke to young people.

The aim of the operation was to seize any illegal bikes but also to speak to young people and drivers about the impact that their behaviour has on the community.

Police Community Support Officer Craig Gadd who organised the operation said, "Anti-social behaviour is a PACT priority for half of the ward areas in Abergavenny. Our local communities have told us that off road

bikes are a concern for them and we wanted to make it clear to illegal and anti-social drivers that their behaviour is unacceptable."

On the first day of the operation five off road bikes were seized and one young person was given a final warning for driving without a helmet.

The second day saw officer focus on anti-social behaviour on Castle Meadows and the Cattle Market areas which have seen incidents of youth disorder in the past, especially during the summermonths.

Police Constable Ruth Hanney who led the operation, explained, "We have previously had reports of underage drinking and rowdy behaviour on Castle Meadows and in the Cattle Market and as it was the last day of school we wanted to stop any problems before they took place."

Forty young people were stopped and spoken to and the following alcohol was seized, 18 cans of cider, 15 cans of lager, four bottles of wine, five flagons of cider, two bottles of lager and one bottle of spirits.

Police Sergeant Tony Patey adds, "Both operations succeeded in reducing the amount of anti-social behaviour incidents in Abergavenny and that was our aim. Unfortunately over the summer months when the evenings are lighter, anti-social behaviour especially amongst young people tends to increase.

"We want to make sure that local people are not affected by anti-social behaviour and that is why we are taking this pro-active approach.

"Over the last year, our anti-social behaviour levels in Monmouthshire have decreased by 12 percent but we are working hard to decrease anti-social incidents even further."

If you want to report any anti-social behaviour, please call the non-emergency number 101 or in an emergency, please always call 999.