Blackwood, a small town in Caerphilly County, south Wales, is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Residents and business owners describe it as a “no-go area” after dark, plagued by
escalating crime and anti-social behavior. Many blame groups of teenagers for the chaos, citing incidents of intimidation, vandalism, and violence.
A town under siege
Elderly residents feel unsafe waiting at the bus station, which has become a hotspot for trouble. Reports of e-scooters and bikes weaving dangerously through crowds, verbal abuse, stone-throwing, and graffiti have become commonplace. Recently, a teen was seen chasing another with a knife, prompting the town council to convene an emergency meeting. However, even the meeting was interrupted by unruly youths who entered the council building and caused disturbances.
Local shopkeepers are also under siege. One anonymous trader told Wales Online: “I value my windows too much,” referencing a recent incident where a shop window was smashed with a brick. Weekend market stalls and bus station facilities are frequently targeted, with bins overturned and litter strewn across the streets.
Calls for action amid police crackdowns
Gwent Police have implemented dispersal orders and conducted arrests for public order offenses. However, residents say these measures are temporary fixes. Deputy Mayor George Etheridge described the situation starkly: “Blackwood has become worse than the Bronx with anti-social behavior. It is completely out of control.”
According to Etheridge, businesses are closing early out of fear, bus drivers are on edge, and public facilities are under constant attack. While the police respond quickly to incidents, the long-term impact of these actions remains questionable.
Root causes of the crisis
Many locals believe the town’s problems are deeply rooted in the lack of youth services and community facilities. Over the years, Blackwood has seen a steady decline in resources for young people, leaving them with little to do. “When we were kids, there were various clubs,” Etheridge explained. “Now, there’s nothing for them.”
Residents like Cllr Andrew Short, who works as a mechanic near the bus station, have witnessed the deterioration firsthand. “It’s never been as bad as it is now,” he said. “I’ve worked in other tough areas, but the level of disrespect and abuse here is shocking. Elderly people waiting for buses are so scared they prefer to wait with me at my shop.”
Short believes the solution lies in rebuilding grassroots facilities and services, offering young people alternatives to hanging out on the streets. Without this, he fears the situation will only worsen.
A glimmer of hope?
In a recent meeting, Blackwood councillors engaged with Gwent Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to formulate a plan. While the discussions were described as productive, residents stress that immediate action is essential. “This problem has become very, very bad in the last six weeks,” Cllr Kevin Etheridge said. “People now avoid Blackwood in the evenings. This is crippling our local businesses.”
The bigger picture
Adding to the town’s challenges, Caerphilly County Borough Council faces a £47 million budget shortfall. Proposed cuts include removing community safety wardens—a move that many, including the town council, strongly oppose.
“We’ve offered to pay to retain the wardens, but the council has rejected the proposal,” Etheridge said. “If these wardens are lost, it will waste taxpayers’ money spent on a new CCTV van that will sit idle.”
Residents, traders, and officials agree that Blackwood needs urgent attention. Without investment in safety and services, the town risks becoming a place to avoid, not just after dark but altogether. Photo by Roger Cornfoot, Wikimedia commons.