Glynneath residents fear going out after 6pm

Residents in Glynneath, a small town in Wales, are growing increasingly anxious due to rising anti-social behavior. Many have expressed fears about going out after 6 p.m. because of disturbances in their community. One resident, Stuart Underwood, has experienced this fear firsthand. The 58-year-old amputee recently found his motorhome vandalized while parked outside his retirement home. Underwood, who uses his savings for the motorhome, reported the damage to local police. He was frustrated that it took police two days to respond. He also noted that children in the area often gather in the car park, leading to noisy and disruptive behavior. Other local residents share Underwood's concerns. Some have reported disturbances like kids knocking on windows late at night. This has made many feel unsafe after dark, with one resident commenting that nobody goes out after 6 p.m. Councillor Simon Anthony Knoyle responded to the situation, stating that there are activities available for youth in Glynneath. He mentioned various clubs and a new park under construction. He emphasized the importance of reporting incidents to the police instead of social media, as it can help improve safety and response times. However, local shopkeepers have also noticed the rising issues. One shopkeeper recalled an incident where a group of kids caused chaos in their store. They expressed concern over the declining police presence and how it may allow such behavior to continue unhindered. A spokesperson from Neath Port Talbot Council acknowledged complaints about anti-social behavior and stressed the need for official reports to help address these issues. They encouraged residents to report any incidents to the police to ensure better support and a stronger police presence in the area.