GWENT Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston has assured communities that disruption to residents will be minimal when Newport welcomes over 60 world leaders for the Nato summit in September.

Gwent Police are leading the security for the event, which will be hosted by the Celtic Manor Resort on Thursday, September 4, and Friday, September 5.

Extra officers and staff will be drafted in from all over Britain in the run up to the event, which is being dubbed as one of the biggest policing operations ever undertaken in the UK.

Politicians, including United States president Barack Obama, journalists and protesters will descend on Newport for the summit.

But while summit security will be a priority, Gwent PCC Ian Johnston has reassured local communities that it won’t be to the detriment of residents.

“Much of the detailed planning has yet to be finalised,” he said. “But when hosting an event of this magnitude there is likely to be some disruption in and around the vicinity of the summit.

“However, I want to reassure residents that we will be ready and that Gwent Police and its partners will be doing all they can to reduce the impact on those communities directly affected.

“In the coming weeks and months, residents and businesses which could be affected will be contacted by specially assigned officers.

“Our neighbourhood officers will also continue with their normal duties of patrolling the surrounding areas of Gwent and protecting and reassuring our communities during the summit.

“The force will be working closely with other organisations to help minimise any issues regarding traffic, noise or litter, and details of any road closures, diversions or likely travel delays will be conveyed to residents prior to the event.”

In January we reported that at least 18 hotels from Cardiff to Bristol were already fully booked up for the event. As many as 10,000 people are likely to need accommodation for the seven nights of the summit, with 2,000 delegates and 7,000 journalists expected.