UP to 150 Gwent police officers are to be moved from emergency stand-by roles to be "bobbies on the beat" in local communities.

The force says the move is part of its plans to increase police visibility, reassure the public and tackle crime at its root.

Deputy Chief Constable Bryan Davies, pictured, told the Argus the officers would be moved gradually intocommunity-based roles.

He believes officers dedicated to responding to emergency calls could be better used working within communities.

Mr Davies has already committed 66 officers to community roles, he hopes to move up to 150 officers by the end of April 2006.

He said: "We are re-defining the use of our operational resources. "When the officers move into the local neighbourhoods the demand for responsive policing will fall.

"It's all about preventative policing, harnessing the local communities." Over the next year the force plans to cut the number of offences by six per cent and move toward a style of "neighbourhood policing".

It aims to do this despite a budget increase far below what it had hoped for, only five per cent when it previously said it needed six per cent "just to stand still".

To make up for this, Mr Davies said as well as re-defining roles, the force would be making "efficiency savings" elsewhere in order to meet the needs of the community.

One of the ways the force hopes to do this is by utilising modern technology to free up police time.

Mr Davies explained: "New legislation means we can now fingerprint, photograph and DNA everyone arrested, not just those charged with offences.

"This means we will hold information on about an extra 6,000 people, which will be an invaluable and time-saving resource for officers."

He also pointed to the increase in the use of fixed penalty notices as a way officers would be freed up to spend more time on the streets.

He said: "Matters which would previously go to court, such as drunk and disorderliness, can now be dealt with by penalty notices.

"It's about speeding up the system, officers can give a notice and get back on the streets."

It is also hoped that extra cash will be gained through new legislation which allows forces to apply to re-invest funds from seized criminal assets into policing.

Mr Davies added: "We are moving to be more community minded, smarter and more efficient force."