POLICE are stepping up patrols in Usk to help combat car crime in the town - after our Car Safe campaign highlighted the problem.

Residents have welcomed the move and believe two officers dedicated to their community are making a difference.

In August we revealed that in the Maryport Street north car park in Usk, 16 cars were vandalised in one night. Two police officers now have special responsibility for Usk.

The Argus Car Safe campaign aims to increase security at car parks and drive down the rising vehicle crime figures.

Superintendent John Burley said: "We are refocusing deployment of officers across the division and have identified key areas.

"The two officers in Usk are walking the beat and on mobile patrol, covering the crime and disorder hotspots like the Maryport Street north car park."

Usk chamber of commerce chairman David Sansom said: "We are happy to see these guys on the beat and we feel the level of car crime has fallen at the car park.

"We would love to see 24-hour policing in Usk which would be a greater deterrent."

John Spenceley, a former Usk mayor, said: "It's early days but things have quietened down. We are hoping this will continue.

"The whole town council is delighted that we now have officers just for the town.

"Previously, we had a bone of contention with police as our officers were always being called to Abergavenny on the weekend when they were often needed here."

Usk town councillor Roger Galletley warned the car crime problems in Usk were not just confined to the Maryport Street north car park.

He said: "I have had my own car either stolen, broken into or vandalised in Usk eight times in as many years.

"We are hoping these officers will continue to make a difference." Mark Craxford, the owner of the Spar store on Bridge Street, Usk, said: "There have been incidents at the car park in the past but it's calmed down. It's a good thing police are taking this seriously.

"Previously, if you called police after 10pm they were coming from Abergavenny, so response time were down.

"Car crime is pretty fast so it's good police can get there sooner now."