RESIDENTS on a Newport estate want tough powers to tackle yobs extended to stop growing levels of anti-social behaviour.

People living in several streets in Somerton, including Lime Crescent, say they have put up with yobs for years.

But now they claim new police powers to disperse unruly youths from other areas of Somerton have made problems even worse.

Resident Deanne Sansome, 26, is leading calls for the dispersal order that currently covers nine streets in Alway and Somerton to be extended, and will raise the issue at a public meeting at Somerton primary school at 6pm tonight, where police will give an update on the scheme's effectiveness.

She said: "We feel like the forgotten street here. We were disappointed enough when the dispersal order didn't cover Lime Crescent, and now it's made it worse because it pushes them all down here."

One male resident, who is too scared to be named, claims he is the victim of hundreds of incidents.

He said: "It's been a torrent of constant abuse since 2005. I've had eggs thrown at the house and they've turned the gas and electricity off.

"We had paint thrown over the house, abuse spray-painted on our house and windows smashed.

"It's every day of the week and it got worse when the order was brought in."

Lime Crescent is owned by Gwerin Housing, which asked residents to monitor the situation and pass on their concerns.

Sergeant Jim Neesam, of Alway police, said the dispersal order was proving to be a success, with a drop in incidents in the areas where it applies.

He said those areas were specifically picked because they suffered more anti-social problems, but added: "We will monitor the dispersal order and see how effective it's been and whether it's moved the problems elsewhere. There may be the potential to use it in other areas."

He said police were investigating the male resident's complaints.

Where order applies The dispersal order started on January 24 and allows police to disperse gangs of troublemakers and move on any children under 16 after 9pm.

It applies in Sycamore Avenue, Hawthorn Avenue and Acacia Avenue in Somerton, the turning circle in Vaughan Williams Drive and Aberthaw Close, Vaughan Williams Drive, Walford Davies Drive,and the junction of Walford Davies Drive and Elgar Circle.