POLICE have played down claims of rowdy youths said to be wreaking havoc "under their noses" in Llanelli.
Gangs of intimidating and noisy youngsters are reportedly congregating in the town hall grounds causing a nuisance for people living in the area.
The council has had to cut the electricity supply to the bandstand, nail down benches and clean up graffiti and litter as part of efforts to tackle what it says is an "ongoing problem with antisocial behaviour in the bandstand area of the town hall grounds in recent weeks".
But police say they've received only three reports of trouble there all year, just one of which involved youths — who, on investigation, appeared "well behaved" to officers.
Those figures may surprise residents such as Hywel Williams, of Coleshill Terrace, who said he was fed up with the problem.
"We have had a real problem recently with gangs of youngsters being rowdy in the town hall grounds at all hours of the night," he said.
"They are creating a real nuisance and are intimidating for us as residents and for passers-by.
"It is shocking that this is happening right under the nose of the police as it's directly opposite the police station, yet they appear to be doing nothing about it."
Council bosses said the authority has also had to step in to act on the issue, and appealed for help.
A spokeswoman for the authority said: "There has been an ongoing problem with antisocial behaviour in the bandstand area of the town hall grounds in recent weeks.
"The council has had to cut the electricity supply to the bandstand, nail the benches down to the floor, clean up graffiti and clear litter. We are appealing to the public to report any incidents they see, as this is costing taxpayers' money and causing a disturbance to people living in the area.
"We have also informed the police of this matter and they are investigating."
But Llanelli police said only three complaints had been received from residents.
"We have had three complaints of antisocial behaviour at Llanelli Town Hall this year, two relating to men drinking near the war memorial and one in relation to youths who were claimed to have been destroying newly-planted flower beds with a rugby ball," said Inspector Eric Evans.
"In relation to the men drinking, they were asked to leave on both occasions, but as the youths were just congregating socially and appeared well behaved, officers could not move them on.
"We are not aware of any other instances of antisocial behaviour."
chantelle.rees@swwmedia.co.uk
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