RESIDENTS of a Newport community are being promised a first class service from their new police station - in a converted post office.

The police station in Bettws has been in the main shopping precinct for about 20 years. But the former post office sorting office, which is just metres away from the station, has been converted into a new and larger station to serve the community.

Inspector Dave Johnson is moving to Newport Central police station and Paul Griffiths, who is currently a detective sergeant in the Family Support Unit, will take his place. Community liaison officer PC Eddie Evans (pictured) will remain at Bettws.

The old station started off as just one of the shop units but about eight years ago it expanded into two units.

However the needs of the section have now outgrown the current facilities. Inspector Johnson said: "It is an integral part of the ethos of Gwent police that we provide community-based policing.

"We hope the new facility will service Bettws for the next 20 years. "We have fantastic new facilities and now have the capability to run major incidents from the station. We have also got the capacity to expand the number of officers working here. "One of the main benefits is that we can become far more self-sufficient.

"We used to have to travel to Newport Central police station which was taking officers away from the local area.

"The new station will massively improve the accessibility to local police officers for the local community and it is a clear statement of our intent for Bettws to be a positive and safe place to live."

DS Griffiths, who has previously worked as a sergeant at Bettws, said he was looking forward to becoming inspector.

He said: "I look forward to building on the good work the Bettws officers have done so far."

The official opening of the station will be held later this month.