A SCHOOL has acted to combat anti-social behaviour from a few of its pupils following a homeowner’s complaints about their behaviour and damage to his property.

Pencoedtre High School, in Barry, has closed a site gate which was a route to a chip shop, via a public right of way alongside his Gibbonsdown home, during the lunch time break.

Dad-of-two Jonathan Leek, 30, of Hardy Close, said damage caused by the pupils had cost him £2000 too date, and had got worse since the school became mixed-sex in 2018.

Mr Leek, who has made multiple calls to the school, police, and the Vale council, to log incidents said he had also notified Vale AM Jane Hutt of his concerns – but nothing had been resolved.

He said: “Since I have moved in in November 2015, I’ve had no end of trouble with anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, and youths loitering in the lane smoking cannabis.

“I have been in touch with 101 (the police) on most occasions and from their records I phoned 101 four times in 2016, eight times in 2017, two times in 2018 and seven times this year.

“I have also been in contact with many PCSOs between these dates to report more instances of anti-social behaviour and loitering.

“The most recent PCSO dealt with some of the youths that had been throwing stones at my property - caught on CCTV - and graffiting my property - and also smoking cannabis in the lane.

“The youths that have been causing most of the trouble are from Pencoedtre High School.

“They use the lane on their lunch time to loiter and smoke cannabis.”

Mr Leek said he had contacted the school which had informed pupils they should remain on site during the lunchtime.

He reported his fence being ripped off in 2016 and kicked in in 2018 – with it needing replacing on both occasions.

He said his car had been damaged, rocks and cans thrown, roof tiles broken, and there was graffiti on the wall.

“I just want it stopped,” he said. “It’s cost me just over £2000.”

A Vale council spokesman said: “The council is aware of this situation and our community safety team has been working alongside the police in an effort to address it.

“We understand a crime reduction officer has visited Mr Leek to provide advice on how he might tackle the issues he is experiencing and where appropriate the council will provide practical support to help achieve this.

“Incidents of antisocial behaviour have been investigated by the police and as a result antisocial behaviour (ASB) referrals have been submitted to the council’s community safety team.

“These have resulted in individuals being identified and progressed through our ASB process.

“The head teacher of Pencoedtre has also been informed and has taken action against pupils found to be involved.”

Community safety partnership (CSP) Sergeant Natalie Harris said: “The CSP and our neighbourhood policing team in Barry are aware of the complaints made by Mr Leek, and we are working closely together and with the victim to identify those vandalising his property or acting in an antisocial manner in the area.

“We have increased our presence in the area, with regular and targeted patrols being carried out, and Mr Leek has been visited by a crime reduction officer to discuss crime prevention measures.

“We have also linked in with both the neighbouring school and the local authority in order to address some of the wider concerns raised by the victim.”

Executive head teacher, Vince Browne and Pencoedtre High School head teacher, Tyrone Davies confirmed the gate was now locked.