Police step up patrols

POLICE patrols are to increase in Newport city centre after a spate of robberies.

Two youths were arrested on Thursday evening in relation to two robberies which took place in the area that night.

Last month, five youths were arrested for a series of robberies in the city centre, and remain under investigation.

Gwent Police have issued a dispersal order, which has been supported by Newport council, to address the problem of large groups of youths congregating in the city centre, some of whom intimidate and threaten members of the public and commit other offences.

The order – restricted to 48 hours by current legislation – started at 4pm on Friday, June 1, and ends at 4pm today, and covers the Stow Hill ward.

It gives police officers and community support officers the powers to direct anyone to leave the city centre area if they are involved in antisocial behaviour or if officers think their behaviour may lead to antisocial behaviour.

If they return to that area after being moved on, they face being arrested.

Superintendent Ian Roberts said: “We are taking this action as one of a range of tactics to proactively tackle these issues in our city centre.

“There will also be more uniformed and plain-clothes police officers in the area over the weekend.

“I hope this sends a message out to offenders that this type of antisocial and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in Newport city centre, and that we will take whatever action necessary to combat it.”