A PONTYPOOL car park has driven out criminals with the help of a £400,000 security makeover.

And the Riverside car park was yesterday given a national award for its safety.

The Argus' Car Safe campaign, launched in July 2003 together with Operation Maple, has encouraged car park operators to increase security and revealed car crime hot spots across Gwent.

The Riverside car park got new lighting, perimeter fencing, CCTV cameras and security patrols at the end of last year.

So far there have been no reports of crime - which is why Gwent Police yesterday gave the Mayor of Torfaen the National Secured Car Park Award. Gwent Police's crime prevention officer Sergeant Neil O'Connell advised the council on how to beat car crime.

He said: "Before the security measures were put in place, there had been a number of incidents at the car park.

"I identified areas that could be improved to make the car park more secure and I'm happy that, as a result of these improvements, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of incidents at the car park.

"Members of the public can now feel safe in the knowledge that they and their vehicle will be secure when they use the car park.

"I would urge the operators of all car parks in Gwent to seek this award because I only recommend to the public car parks that have achieved the award."

Councillor Yvonne Warren, the mayor of Torfaen, said: "September is a busy month for Pontypool with the opening of the new Tesco and the Crane Street developments.

"As more shoppers visit the town, it is crucial that they feel they can park their cars safely. "We are only the second car park in Gwent to receive this award and we are very proud of that."