Locals in a Welsh town say they are being intimidated and abused by youths who are also smashing up their shops. Business owners in Abertillery town told WalesOnline how teens aged between 12 to 17 have kicked in their doors, thrown bricks through their windows and have used foul language to intimidate them.
The business owners, who have asked to remain anonymous for their safety, said they had noticed anti-social behaviour rising in the community since January, caused by young people on bikes and sometimes wearing balaclavas. They said it had led to people of all ages being too scared to visit the town centre, with some business owners wanting to move their shops elsewhere.
It comes as Abertillery Learning Community school was put on lockdown on Monday after three teenage boys reportedly threatened staff members and set off the fire alarm. This incident is not necessarily linked to anti-social behaviour in the town, but locals said it added to their concerns.
