SECURITY will be reviewed at a popular Newport heritage centre which is being targeted by thieves who have stolen a number of items of memorabilia.

Jan Preece, who runs the Pill heritage centre in Alexandra Road, said the centre is also considering whether to start charging for entry following the spate of thefts.

Four replica First and Second World War revolvers, an inactive hand grenade dating from the Second World War, a First World War soldier's leggings and model railway engines have all been taken from the centre in the past few months.

The thefts are estimated to amount to more than £1,000.

In the latest incident, Mr Preece says badges were taken from a 1950s Newport police hat which had been donated to them.

"We have had an astronomical amount of theft here," said Mr Preece. "It has been going on for some time and I think we are being targeted by collectors."

At the moment, visitors are able to freely look at the exhibits. "We have a hands-on policy and nothing is behind glass," he added.

"Regretfully, we now think we are going to have to make a charge to people coming into the building. The whole thing has been totally spoilt."

Mr Preece said lots of people liked coming into the centre which had been open for seven years but now they were going to have to look at the whole issue of security.

The latest theft has not been reported to police as centre staff believe it will be impossible to recover the badges.