Gwent Police tuk-tuks: Force spent almost £40k on four vehicles

Gwent Police are using tuk-tuks in the fight against crime

A police force spent nearly £40,000 buying four tuk-tuks to help fight crime.

Gwent Police bought four of the vehicles at £9,936 each, or £39,744, the force said in response to a BBC Wales Freedom of Information request.

They were paid for from a Home Office fund aimed at tackling specific safety and crime prevention issues.

The original figure given was £16,974 each, but the force said that had been reviewed and provided the updated sum.

The three-wheelers, which are well known for being used as taxis in Asian countries in particular, will be used as "safe spaces" where crimes can be reported, help sought and crime prevention advice given, Gwent Police has said.

The response to the vehicles at a recent open day hosted by the force had been "overwhelmingly positive," according to the force.

Parents and women in particular said they would feel safer knowing there was support out an night, Ch Insp Damian Sowrey said.

They will be used in Newport and Abergavenny.

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