POLICE are investigating claims that adults are supplying teenagers with alcohol in Pontypool.
People in Pontnewynydd have reported seeing adults selling cans and bottles of lager from carrier bags to underage drinkers in the park.
It follows a clampdown on youth drinking by Pontypool police over the summer holidays in which hundreds of litres of alcohol were seized.
The operation led by the Neighbourhood Policing Team aimed to combat problems of anti-social disorder by preventing criminal activity with high visibility patrols and seizing alcohol in known hot spots. In some instances alcohol was seized from youths as young as 13.
Other measures include carrying out test purchasing operations in partnership with Trading Standards.
But Pontnewynydd councillor, Joyce Gregory, said she has seen adults selling alcohol to youths in a park near Lewis Terrace on at least two evenings in recent weeks.
She said: "This is shocking behaviour - as bad as drug dealing in my opinion.
"We've got a problem with kids drinking and causing trouble down here anyway. These people should know better."
Cllr Gregory has reported the incidents to police and the council's licensing committee.
Snatchwood councillor, Ivor Davies, added: "I am aware of this going on. We are doing work in that park to cut this behaviour out. This area is an alcohol-free zone so this is very concerning."
Pontypool neighbourhood policing team sergeant, Mike Pheasant, said police are aware of adults buying alcohol for minors, and are investigating this development.
He said: "If this is the case it is obviously concerning and a top priority for us."
As part of the operation during the summer holidays police seized 153 cans of lager, 64 bottles of lager, 20 cans of cider, 11 litres of cider, a bottle of wine, bottle of liquor, two bottles of spirits and alcopops.
The police said they are appealing to parents to make sure they know where their children are, particularly in the evenings, and make sure they are aware of the consequences of alcohol abuse.
Article taken from Pontypool Free Press|