One of Wales’s largest operations to target underage drinkers and antisocial behaviour is underway in Newport. Up to 40 teenagers and a number of traders from Newport are facing legal action following a joint council and police operation tackling alcohol-related disorder focussing on the Gaer.The operation involving trading standards, the community safety wardens, and Gwent police is believed to be one of the largest operations of its kind in Wales.
In recent months problems with youths and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in the area have intensified. The situation has escalated to the point that youths as young as 12 years old have been caught drinking alcohol while one 13-year-old girl almost died, needing her stomach pumped twice due to alcohol which was traced to shops on the Gaer estate. More than 40 youths have been identified as being involved in cases of drinking, swearing, fighting and other acts of disorder in Newport.
Responding to demand from the community, a major intelligence gathering operation has taken place in the past few weeks focussing on the area around Gaer shops, Hillview flats, the community centre, and Dickens Drive.
The footage recorded 65 offences of youths drinking, 60 offences of urinating, 51 cases of under age purchasing of alcohol, plus numerous breaches of ASBOs and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs). There were also two drug offences. Wardens and police confiscated large amounts of alcohol from youths and during the period of the operation there was a marked decline in the levels of offending.Trading standards officers are now targeting those traders believed to be selling alcohol to underage youths, either directly or from adults buying drink for them.
POLICE AND COUNCIL IN GAER DISORDER CRACKDOWN
WOMAN GETS THE POINT
An acupuncture patient returned home from treatment with a two-inch needle stuck in her back, she said.Back pain sufferer Wendy Dempsey had her first acupuncture session at the Royal Gwent Hospital.The 54-year-old claims she suffered excruciating pain as she drove the five miles to her Llanmartin home and only realised what was wrong when her nephew, Ieuan Edwards, started screaming
STOW HILL COUNCILLOR SLATES LIB DEMS
In a sign of Newport's prevailing political mood Conservative councillor for Stow Hill Peter Davies may have upset any hopes of a coalition between the Liberal Democrats and his own party after a letter published in the South Wales Argus. He was responding to criticism by David Hando, Council Lib Dem leader , of the paper's failure to report his parties "successes" in the recent city council elections. Davies stated that the Lib Dems had reduced their votes in more than half the wards contested "With that record, my Party would be hanging its head in shame and wanting to move on without further discussion as quickly as possible".
GLOW IN THE DARK ARMBANDS FOR CITY SECURITY STAFF
People going out in Newport will be able to spot door staff instantly after they were issued with glow-in-the-dark armbands.All door staff will have to display their identity card on the armbands, and will not be allowed to work if they do not have one. The scheme was proposed by Gwent Police following concerns that the public could not always identify staff easily. Security firms have welcomed the chance to improve the image of door staff. The yellow armbands display Security Industry Authority identity cards, and police believe pubbers and clubbers will feel safer knowing they can approach staff who are professionally registered.
RISKY PREGNANCIES NOT TO BE REFERRED TO ROYAL GWENT
Women with high-risk pregnancies are being told they cannot be admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital because its special care baby unit is full. Expectant mothers have been told by the hospital in Newport they must go to other local hospitals. The Royal Gwent says it does not expect an improvement for days. Health officials blamed the problem on an increase in multiple and premature births, and very premature babies needing to stay longer in the unit. The unit closed late on Friday, and the situation does not affect women with low-risk pregnancies, who can continue to have their babies at the Royal Gwent.
