Recent Events across What´s New Locally

Back to What´s New Locally

Car Cruisers Get Closure Message


Police in Blackwood say around 400 young drivers who´ve been causing a nuisance to residents in Blackwood by cruising through the town have got the message that it´s now closed to them on a Thursday night.

The Safer Caerphilly Partnership held a special event last Thursday night to publicise the closure.

Gwent Police led and organised a "last cruise" through the High Street.

Blackwood Neighbourhood Inspector Kevin Childs, said:

“Car cruising in Blackwood has been occurring for over 25 years, and it’s time that residents were able to visit local stores on Thursdays, without being intimidated or stuck in traffic.

“We don’t have any problems with drivers who look after and care for their cars, but we do strongly object to the behaviours that can often come along with car cruising.

“During a recent operation over five Thursday nights, we caught over 250 drivers speeding.”

The force obtained an order to close off the High Street from 7pm to 4am every Thursday night for the next 18 months.

It´s estimated that up to half of the drivers who came to the event also took part in the final cruise. Many then stayed on to watch an open air screening of the hard hitting road safety film, COW, produced by local film maker Peter Watkins Hughes, with the support of the International Film School, University of Wales, Newport, Gwent Police, Blaenau Gwent council and Legal and General Insurance.

The film is aimed at young drivers and shows the devastating consequences of using a mobile phone while driving. Four people are killed in the drama when the young driver, Cassie COWan texts while she is driving, causing two crashes.

A clip of the thirty minute film ( on www.gwent.police.uk) has been viewed nearly seven million times worldwide.