Gwent | Archive | 2001 | August | 7
From the South Wales Argus, first published Tuesday 7th Aug 2001.
RESIDENTS on a troubled Gwent estate are being asked to help evict young thugs in the area by logging all incidents of crime.
The pioneering initiative by Newport council follows long-running problems in the Sullivan Circle area of Alway, Newport, which has become the home of gangs of teenagers whose antisocial behaviour and vandalism are making residents' lives a misery.
The council acknowledges the hard work of the police and housing ranger service. But in a bid to evict the young troublemakers and their families through the courts, it has taken the unusual step of writing to every resident on the estate, asking them to record all incidents of crime and disorder.
Residents are asked to complete a form detailing anything they have suffered at the hands of vandals. It also asks if locals will appear in court to give evidence against the culprits.
In a letter to residents, Martin Ellaway, of the council's Alway Neighbourhood Housing Office, says: "The council does not have the power to take action without the consent of the courts and so the weight of evidence is very important... for this reason it is essential to write down the date and time of problems, preferably with the name and address of the culprit, as overwhelming evidence will secure a possession hearing."
The council's move has been welcomed by residents - but yesterday many told the Argus they did not believe logbooks would have any effect on youths responsible for smashing car windows, urinating on their property, drinking and shouting abuse until the early hours of the morning.
Resident Joyce Sullivan (pictured) said: "We have just had enough. We have a real problem here. On Friday I had to call the police after a teenager threatened to brick my windows in and called me all the names under the sun.
"I welcome what the housing office is trying to do, but I can't see how filling in forms will do much good. But something has to be done."
Alway councillor John Guy said: "Everyone should have a good quality of life, and if there's a question of people's anti-social behaviour we, as a council, have got to ensure the use of protocol in order to deal with this matter.
"We must do all we can to help the community."
© Newsquest Media Group 2008