A CRACKDOWN on antisocial behaviour in an area of Newport is having an “invaluable” impact, a meeting has heard.

Labour councillor Tracey Holyoake said the streets of Pill were “a lot quieter” following the introduction of a three-year public spaces protection order (PSPO).

Police officers have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone found street drinking, possessing, selling or consuming intoxicated substances, or failing to disperse from large groups once asked.

The council’s overview and management scrutiny committee met on Wednesday to discuss the effectiveness of the PSPO during its first year.

Cllr Holyoake told the committee: “I’m a Pill resident so I live where I see it daily, and for me the impact can be clearly seen.

“Asking people to move on because of the threat of this order, and the potential of fixed penalty notices being served, does work.”

Cllr Hollyoake said the number of complaints from people living hear the Kwik Save in Commerical Road, a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, had fallen.

“You don’t see as much congregation, it’s nowhere near the same amount. Rough sleeping has also been dispersed,” added Cllr Holyoake.

“We’ve still got a long way to go but this order is invaluable and is making a difference.”

Gwent Police say they have used the order “extensively” since it was approved by Newport City Council last July.

Inspector Jason Williams described the PSPO as an effective tool which helped the force “cover a lot of gaps”.

A total of eight fixed penalty notices – seven for street drinking and one dispersal order – have been issued since the PSPO was introduced, which Insp Williams admitted was “low”.

The meeting heard that some officers were “frustrated” not knowing if a fine was necessary in certain circumstances.

But Insp Williams said: “I expect that figure to be a lot different in a year, not because they’re being more heavy-handed, but they’ll have a bit more confidence using the powers.

“I’d like the PSPO to be revised and kept after two years when it is reviewed. Pill has come a long way but there is a lot more work to do.”

Conservative councillor Matthew Evans called for the council to set an example and press for more fines to be repaid in the future.

Councillors were told that only four of the eight £100 fines have been collected, with the council dropping the outstanding costs before they progressed to a prosecution.

The leader of the opposition said: “I’m reassured that there’s been an improvement, but we’ve only issued one dispersal notice in a year.

“We need to make sure they pay the fines or serve a community order sentence otherwise we’re not helping the police.”