A MAJOR police operation aimed at clamping down on anti social behaviour in Abergavenny resulted in nine arrests and 11 ASBO applications.

Operation Fuchsia, the first of its kind in the town, was launched last month as a result of the increase in anti social behaviour and saw extra officers drafted in to monitor anti social 'hot spots' in town.

Dozens of young people aged under 16 were sent home and hundreds of pounds worth of alcohol was confiscated during the operation.

Special constables and PCSOs were involved in the operation aimed at cracking down on yobs and vandals causing problems, drinking in the streets and vandalising the town.

Crime and disorder reduction officer PC Andy Charles said, "The operation could not have taken place without the full support of the county and town councillors who have expressed concerns with regards to the attack on the flower display in town.

"During the operation CCTV operators guided officers into serious incidents which were nipped in the bud and diffused. Eleven people have had initial stages of the ASBO process taken against them."

'Hotspots' in Abergavenny include the Swan Meadows area, town centre, Bailey Park and Castle Meadows.

PCSO Georgina Kare was manning the town's CCTV cameras during the operation.

She said, "There were youths everywhere in town and because I had the advantage of seeing it on CCTV I could direct officers where to go.

"Thanks to the CCTV it was successful and helped no end. It was only because of the CCTV system that I was able to direct officers to where the youths were drinking."

This latest move was spurred just days after a spate of vandalism on the Abergavenny In Bloom flowers costing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

Chairman of Abergavenny In Bloom Mary Ann O'Higgins said, "We want to thank the police and the team for supporting us and looking after the town's flower boxes. It makes a real difference for us. We are thinking about moving the flowers off the street and hanging them up on posts.

"I think that is going to have to be the way forward, one place to put everything and all the other flowers hanging up."

The operation, which was supported by the town's mayor, councillor Martin Hickman, was a stark warning to those who act in an anti social manner.

Head of the operation, PC Angela Rees said the operation was a success, "I am very pleased with the result and the way CCTV and ourselves worked together.

"The support I received when setting up the operation from our town and county councillors was excellent.

"It surprises me still that after all that has been mentioned about youth disorder that many parents still don't know what their children are up to during the evening hours.

"We would urge parents to take more responsibility for their children and when brought home by the police it is their duty to reprimand the, appropriately."