The UK town 'worse than the Bronx' where kids as young as 10 carry knives
This part of the UK has been terrorised by gangs of young people intimidating residents and carrying knives.
A small town has become a hotspot for gangs of young children who are terrorising the town.
Blackwood, in Wales, has become known for vandalism and knife-weilding teens who locals find intimidating.
The youngsters can be seen in groups as big as 20 people mainly below age 18, reports The Sun.
Residents have spoken about the impact these young people have had on the town with some elderly locals afraid of them.
The council held a meeting with cops after one teen was chased by another through the town with a knife.
Blackwood Town Council staged an emergency meeting in response, where its own deputy mayor compared it to the crime-hit New York borough.
But the gathering was swiftly interrupted by youngsters who marched into the small council building and resisted efforts to remove them until police arrived.
Deputy mayor George Etheridge said: “Blackwood has become worse than the Bronx with anti-social behaviour. It is completely out of control.
“Blackwood bus station is a continual problem with e-scooters and bikes being ridden through the bus station and youngsters terrorising people.”
The once sleepy town is located on the Sirhowy River in the South Wales Valleys within the Caerphilly County Borough.
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Town councillor Andrew Short, 56, has a car work shop and antiques store opposite the bus station waiting rooms.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “Lots of people - especially elderly people or the disabled - don’t want to use the bus station, and I let them wait here, because they’ve been abused by these kids. One man tried to get rid of them and they threatened to stab him.”
The issue remains ongoing but police are working to crack down on the problem.
A spokesman for Blackwood Town Council said recent comparisons to the Bronx had “unfairly tarnished” the town's reputation.
They added: “While we acknowledge concerns about anti-social behaviour, particularly around Blackwood Station after dark, we are actively addressing these issues.
“On January 23, 2025, councillors met with police and agency partners to convey residents' concerns and to urge the full use of available powers against offenders.
“A comprehensive plan is now underway to tackle this behaviour, and we anticipate a real and sustained decline in incidents that cause distress in our community.
“We are deeply concerned about the Welsh Government's decision to cut funding for community support officers, as well as Caerphilly Council's plan to axe community safety wardens, both of which play crucial roles in maintaining our safety.
“Despite these challenges, the resilience and spirit of Blackwood's residents and independent businesses remain strong. Our town is vibrant, welcoming, and very much open for business.”
