Locals in Blackwood are worried after a brawl and related antisocial behaviour incidents raising safety concerns.
Dispersal orders occurred last month due to bad behavior near the bus station and other places. A reporter asked people about life in Blackwood now.
Robert Jones, 56, feels older folk avoid the high street. He said youngsters bother cars, then run from the police. He feels safe, but worries about the elderly. They are slowly stopping going outside.
Emily Harmer, 30, works at Woodies Café. She said the town felt safe until now. She thinks it’s usually a friendly community, and she wants this incident to not hurt it for years.
Someone who works there said crime seems to be rising. They dislike the summer issues, like kids on e-scooters being rude. One hit a woman by a cashpoint machine, allegedly. People fear approaching them at Asda.
Another person said trouble is always happening there. Last week, someone smashed a car window on Coronation Road. The car belonged to a woman living there.
Stephen Lewis, aged 35, nearly saw the brawl on Thursday. He missed it by five minutes and thought it was crazy. He feels safe, despite the brawl video online. He mentioned a small increase in crime lately.
Mayor Rhys Mills stated the brawl was not bus station related. It involved two barber shops from separate towns. Police quickly arrested eight people to stop it. Officers are patrolling to reassure people, and they don’t expect ongoing threats.
Next week, they will discuss this with the Police and Crime Commissioner. He said funding cuts hurt community safety. Still, Blackwood is open for businesses, as residents and businesses show strong spirit.
Councillors Kevin Etheridge and George Edwards-Etheridge spoke together. They discussed it with police, who will raise concerns next week. They called it an isolated event, saying Blackwood is still good. Police have an operation that lowered bad behavior.