Teenage girl Tilly Giles was banned from her own town

An 18-year-old girl has been banned from entering parts of her own town centre in Wales after a court ruled her behaviour was too disruptive.

Tilly Giles, from Blackwood near Caerphilly, received a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on Tuesday following months of anti-social incidents, including assaulting an emergency worker.

The order, issued by Newport Magistrates’ Court, stops Giles from entering Blackwood’s retail park or bus station between 7pm and 7am. She is also barred from being with specific individuals or acting in ways that “cause harassment, alarm, or distress” to others. The restrictions will remain in place until April 29, 2027. If she breaks the rules, she could be arrested, fined, or jailed.

Why Was the Order Issued?
Police said they took the “rare step” of imposing a CBO on someone as young as Giles after she repeatedly ignored warnings. In February 2024, when she was 17, Giles was arrested for multiple offences. These included assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, using threatening language, and ignoring a community protection notice. Officers said her actions caused “significant disruption” to residents and businesses.

Inspector Chris Hopkin, who leads policing in Blackwood, explained: “CBOs are only used after we’ve tried working with the person to improve their behaviour. Sadly, our efforts with Tilly didn’t work. We had no choice but to ask the court for this order.” He added that Giles’ behaviour had sparked a rise in anti-social reports earlier this year, prompting extra patrols and arrests.

Strict Rules and Community Work
Aside from the CBO, the court ordered Giles to complete rehabilitation activities and 100 hours of unpaid community work. Rehabilitation programs often include counselling or training aimed at addressing the root causes of bad behaviour.

Inspector Hopkin urged Giles to “see how her actions hurt the community” and warned police would keep patrolling the town to prevent further issues. “Reports of anti-social behaviour have dropped recently, but we’re not stopping here,” he said.

How the Community Reacted
Local residents described Blackwood’s town centre as “chaotic” earlier this year due to gangs of youths causing trouble. One shop owner said: “It was scary for customers. People didn’t want to come here.” Police launched a crackdown in February using dispersal orders, which let officers ban people from an area for 48 hours. These measures helped reduce problems, but officers say Giles’ case required tougher action.

What Happens Next?
Giles will be monitored closely to ensure she follows the CBO. Police can arrest her on the spot if she enters restricted zones or breaks other rules. Inspector Hopkin stressed that while the order is strict, the goal is to help Giles change. “She’s still young. We hope this gives her a chance to turn her life around,” he said.

The case has sparked debates about how to handle young people with behavioural issues. Some argue bans punish without addressing underlying problems, while others support strict measures to protect communities.