Inside the rural Brit town where locals are scared to go out after MIDDAY as boozy yobs run riot on High Street
RESIDENTS in a rural UK town say they are scared to go out after midday - as boozy yobs run riot on the high street.
In the last three months there have been 40 arrests for anti-social behaviour in Pontypridd, south Wales.
Violence and shouting are common as drunks loiter in the town centre - terrifying locals.
Teresa Conner, 44, told : "Sometimes when I come into work in the morning, they're walking around with cans of beer and lager.
"It's not very nice for people walking into work to be confronted with three middle-aged folks flying drunk at eight o'clock in the morning.
"It is very off-putting and for visitors to the area, that's not a very good thing either."
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Vivienne Warwick said: "They come into the market and they've got cans and carrier bags and they're really loud.
"I get nervous when I'm on my own."
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Sueli de Craig said: "Sometimes I see gangs of youths and I won’t look at them - I avoid eye contact.
"Why are they behaving like this and what are the parents doing about it?"
Local MP Alex Davies-Jones said: "Pontypridd has so much going for it, we've had a bit of a resurgence in our town.
"We do have issues of youth disturbance and there are issues of substance misuse like there are everywhere, but it's not an isolated issue to Pontypridd.
"Given that we have had issues, we've developed a really good working relationship with the police, with the council, with local businesses.
"We've been applying to the UK government and we were successful for the funding.
"It's about all of us working together to try and build the best reputation we can for our town to make it the premier destination in the South Wales Valleys."
PRIDD OF PLACE
Rhondda Cynon Taf said: "Higher levels of antisocial behaviour are being reported across the country since the pandemic, and this is not just an issue affecting Pontypridd.
"Since 2018, there has been a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place for Pontypridd Town Centre.
"The PSPO is jointly enforced by the Council and South Wales Police. Authorised Officers can request that a person hands over their alcohol and stops drinking if they are causing, or are likely to cause, antisocial behaviour.
"Since 2022, the Council has employed Community Wardens who provide a high-profile, reassuring presence in communities to tackle antisocial behaviour, focusing on key locations like town centres and parks.
"Further to this, RCT Council’s Cabinet has agreed for the Council to fund an additional 10 Police Community Support Officers for South Wales Police that will specifically be focused on Rhondda Cynon Taf."
Neighbourhood Inspector Leigh Parfitt said: "We have a number of antisocial behaviour operations running in Pontypridd town centre aimed at tackling all forms of ASB.
"We are also working with Rhondda Cynon Taff Community Wardens, the local councillor, MP, Business Improvement District and the Youth Engagement and Participation Service to implement problem solving initiatives within the town.
"Through enhanced focus and increased visibility within the town centre we have produced some fantastic results.
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"Over 40 arrests have been made and over 50 engagement activities held within the last three months, providing daily visibility and accessibility to those that work, live and visit Pontypridd."
South Wales Police has been contacted for comment.
