Gwent Police take on tuk-tuks for public-space patrols

Gwent Police has taken on four tuk-tuks to be driven by officers and ‘ambassadors’ to patrol parks, walkways and other public spaces across Newport and Abergavenny.

The four tuk-tuk vehicles will be used as ‘safe spaces’ for those residing or visiting Gwent and are available to provide crime prevention advice, report incidents to and seek help from if you are feeling unsafe.

Our tuk-tuks will be used both during the day and night, driven by our officers and ‘ambassadors’ such as those employed by Newport NOW as part of a Newport City Council initiative. The tuk-tuks will be used to patrol parks, walkways and other public spaces across Newport and Abergavenny.

Chief Inspector Damian Sowrey said: "They were on show at our Behind the Badge day, giving local residents the opportunity to see them up close and to hear more about how they will be used. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with parents telling officers that they would feel safer knowing that there was support for young people out at night, and from women who could think of an occasion when the tuk-tuk would have been a welcome sight."

The tuk-tuks are funded from as part of the Home Office Safer Streets programme.