A CAR was seized during an operation targeting anti-social drivers during a two-week operation in Abergavenny.

Local residents highlighted issues with anti-social drivers at Police And Communities Together meetings held in the town.

Officers from Abergavenny's Neighbourhood Team worked on the operation between March 9 and March 20 to tackle the ongoing problem of anti-social driving in Abergavenny town centre.

The problems have been most persistent in the car park next to the town's bus station and the Fairfield Car Park. The police were responding to drivers gathering in the evenings playing loud music, revving engines, wheel spinning and driving dangerously.

During the operation one car was seized and 40 drivers were stopped during the operation which ran between March 9 and 20.

Any drivers found acting anti-socially were given section 59 warnings, which meant if they were found driving in the same manner again their car would be seized.

Anti-social drivers were also moved on from car park areas.

Officers also carried out plain clothes patrols around the problem areas and spoke to drivers giving them advice on road safety and explained about the impact of anti-social behaviour on local residents. Uniformed officers also patrolled the town on foot and in vehicles. 

In addition to the seized vehicle, a driver was prosecuted for driving without due care and attention and a fixed penalty fine of £60 for driving without wearing a seatbelt.

Community support officer Rhianna Price who organised the operation said: "I know the devastating affect anti-social behaviour can have on people after speaking to local residents on a daily basis.

"The operation did reduce the amount of cars visiting the problem areas and the seizure of the car sent a message to those responsible that anti-social driving will not be tolerated.'

Abergavenny Neighbourhood Team will be working with Monmouthshire County Council to install longer term measures to combat this problem.

If you do see any incidents of anti-social behaviour, call 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.