A NEIGHBOURHOOD watch group in Pill is planning on organising hustings next year to quiz authority figures on what they are doing for the area which has become “an unofficial red light district”.

The announcement came after the Argus reported concerns have been raised about prostitution in the Newport district.

Seeking to allay fears, Gwent Police have said that there are no plans to have a designated tolerance zone for prostitution in Gwent and are holding regular meeting with the council and residents.

Newport City Council has said the authority is happy to engage with any community groups and discuss issues.

Neighbourhood watch Pill Bank Lane has now announced plans to organise hustings next year to question councillors and Gwent Police.

Tony Southall, 53, of Capel Crescent, chairman of Pill Bank Lane, said: “We would like to have the hustings in April or May in the Pill Millennium Centre, so that we can ask questions to the people who want to represent us.

“We are asking them to attend the meeting.We’ll have it before the election so the community can choose the best person to represent us.”

He said they want to talk about issues such as fly tipping, drug dealing and prostitution.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said that they haven’t received an invitation yet.

“To be clear, there are no plans to have a designated tolerance zone for prostitution in Gwent,” she said.

Local Superintendent Glyn Fernquest said: “We are actively working to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the Pill area.

“Street sex work is one aspect of a range of concerns that we are currently addressing with the community and partner agencies.”

He said that their aim is to tackle the issue in line with national police guidance on dealing with street sex workers, and to protect those involved as they are often some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

He said: “Officers are regularly patrolling the area and have conducted numerous operations in recent weeks, there are also plans for further proactive monitoring of these problems.

“We are continually meeting with the council, local residents, business leaders and our partner agencies to continue our joined up approach to reform Pill.”

A Newport City Council spokeswoman said: “Newport City Council works as a statutory partner of One Newport, the Public Service Board (PSB) for the city, and this group has been tasked with developing and implementing an action plan to address a range of issues in Pillgwenlly.

“The Leader of the Council Councillor Debbie Wilcox and the elected representatives of the people of Pillgwenlly have made it very clear that engagement with the local community, groups and traders is the most critical part of this process. This will be undertaken as part of the overall plan.

“Councillor Wilcox has also written directly to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent asking for collaborative assistance with this issue.

“Partners of the PSB, including Newport City Council, will be happy to discuss engaging with any community groups on issues they raise. “