Police horses are set to patrol the Pill area of Newport as part of a month-long operation aimed at increasing the Gwent force’s presence in the area.
Gwent Police will launch the operation next week, which will also result in more police officers being seen in the area.
Supt Mike Richards told a full meeting of Newport council on Thursday that a similar operation could also be launched in the Alway area of the city in the coming months.
“You will see a greater presence of police officers, certainly for a month,” he said.
“You are also likely to see some police horses that we are borrowing from South Wales Police for that visibility and reassurance that you ask me for.”
Pill ward councillor Tracey Holyoake welcomed the announcement.
“The kids and youth will engage with it and I think it is a real good move for Pill,” she said.
Supt Richards also vowed to improve visibility and communication with complainants of crime in the Alway and Ringland areas of the city.
A public meeting, attended by 70-80 residents, was held last week in response to anti-social behaviour and reports of knife crime.
Cllr Malcolm Linton said there was concern about a “lack of officers on the beat.”
He asked what the police planned to do “to make our residents feel more safe and secure.”
And Cllr Ray Truman said the community “need to be reassured.”
Supt Richards said he expected there to be improvements following the public meeting.
“I recognise we need to do more,” he said.
“We do need to listen to that meeting. We do need to get our communication right and our visibility better than it has been.
“I have committed to acting on the issues raised at the residents’ meeting last week.”
