A popular attraction in Newport has been forced to change its closing times due to "parked cars blasting music, cars screeching around the car park, drinking and drug taking."
The Fourteen Locks Canal Centre and Cafe in Rogerstone will shut the gates of its car park at 5pm due to what it says are "huge amounts of antisocial behaviour" in the evenings reported by Newport City Council and Gwent Police.
The popular visitor centre, which recently underwent upgrades to its walking and cycle path, will now close its cafe at 4pm to allow customers time to leave and avoid lock-ins.
Newport City Council said it had decided to close the gates at the earlier time due to the amount of antisocial behaviour in recent weeks.
"We’ve had a number of reports of anti-social behaviour in the car park, including parked cars blasting music, cars screeching around the car park, motorcycles on the towpaths, and drinking and drug taking, which is why the new closing time has been put in place," they said in a statement.
Gwent Police confirmed it was aware of problems in the area.
"This area forms part of our routine patrol plan and we are aware of the council’s decision to close the gates at 5pm," a spokeswoman said.
"We have received two calls to the area recently. On August 24 when a group of teenagers were messing with the door of the building. Officers attended but there was no one present and no offences identified.
"And on August 25, when vehicles were wheel spinning in the car park."
