A NEW training centre for Gwent police recruits is set to open with a unique community-focused training scheme.

The base in Cwmbran will be handed over to Gwent police on Monday and will officially open in April.

Replacing the probation training currently offered at the Centerex centre in Greenmeadow Way, Cwmbran, the £1 million centre will take up one floor of the former Ferranti building in Ty Coch Way.

For the first time local community groups will be encouraged to help the recruits with training.

The recruits will have 80 hours of 'community engagement' in the 38-week schedule, where they will work alongside community, faith, ethnic and minority groups, and statutory bodies.

For example, to learn about alcohol issues they may work on a rehabilitation course, or attend youth offender panel meetings to learn about anti-social behaviour.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "This is an opportunity for communities to influence the way they are policed.

"This will give the recruits a realistic view of the communities where they will be stationed. It will ensure that when they have completed the training they have already experienced a diverse group of people."

Gwent chief constable Mike Tonge said: "We are training our officers to meet the needs of modern day policing.

"We want the community to be more involved in the policing of their area." The centre will take probationers already trained to drive, operate force IT systems and conduct interviews. The first batch of 20 recruits will start at the centre in April.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said the cost to the Gwent Police Authority involved in the set-up of the new training facility is £140,000.

The Authority's annual running costs to undertake this training are £388,000.

Police are appealing for community groups, voluntary groups, statutory bodies or private groups to come forward if they are interested in taking part. Call Heather Blythe, community involvement co-ordinator, on 01633 642058. l Eventful year for Gwent police: page 23