Anti-social behaviour reports have sparked renewed worries about Newport city centre’s safety, with demands mounting for an increased police presence after dark.
Mike Enea, who now campaigns for the Conservative party, previously worked as a promotions manager at several Newport nightclubs during the 1990s.
He argued that enforcement should be maintained throughout the year with consistent street policing, noting that during his time in the nightclub industry, the city seemed to have a more visible police presence.
Concerns about anti-social behaviour have been raised regarding Cambrian Road in Newport.
In comments to the Argus about a recent evening in the city centre, he described being on Cambrian Road on Wednesday April 29 when he encountered a large group of intoxicated individuals.
One man tumbled from his chair and split his head open, while two other men were quarrelling and appeared on the verge of physical confrontation.
Further along Bridge Street, a group of young people, predominantly wearing hooded tops, were bellowing and using foul language. Several of them had removed their tops.
Mr Enea remarked on how few police officers were in evidence.
He observed that during the 1990s and early 2000s, officers were a constant sight on Cambrian Road, whereas now they typically only attend once an incident has already occurred.
Patrols have become far less visible throughout the city centre, he said.
Mr Enea suggested that officers typically implement short-term initiatives to address anti-social behaviour before terminating them.
He explained that each January and February, authorities launch an intensive enforcement campaign lasting roughly six weeks, after which the operation concludes.
Rather than episodic crackdowns and time-limited initiatives, enforcement should be sustained throughout the year, he argued.
Official figures from Gwent Police, obtained through freedom of information requests, demonstrate that offences in the Stow Hill ward, which encompasses Newport city centre, have risen.
December 2025 saw 314 recorded crimes, comprising 96 violent incidents, of which 31 involved actual injury, along with 4 rapes and 8 additional sexual offences. This represents an increase of approximately 56 percent compared with December 2024, when combined violent and sexual offences numbered 69.
Mr Enea proposed that a safety bus, already introduced in other towns, could offer one possible remedy.
He described visiting Weston-super-Mare for an evening out around 2013–2014 and encountering for the first time a night-time safety vehicle displaying police markings, complete with a gazebo and signage, staffed by two police community support officers and a paramedic. Positioned centrally on Regent Street within the nightclub area, it virtually eliminated disorder—he did not witness a single incident.
Similar safety vehicles operate in Plymouth, Newquay and Cardiff, demonstrating that authorities need to explore alternative approaches. A substantially greater police presence is necessary, he said.
Night-time safety in Newport has become an issue about which many residents hold strong views.
On Mr Enea’s post in the Pointy Finger Facebook group, numerous individuals contributed their perspectives.
Stanley Noble remarked that while he disagreed with many of Mr Enea’s posts, his point about insufficient police presence was valid. Officers should maintain a constant visible presence, he said.
Mark Stevens stated that the town had been secure during the early 1990s. He would visit the kebab shop and Capitol Taxi on weekday evenings to play Street Fighter 2 without any problems, leaving his bicycle against the window. He would not consider venturing into town at those hours nowadays, he said.
Sarah Voisey commented that her 15-year-old daughter disliked visiting the town because she felt threatened by the constant presence of drunk individuals shouting, with no apparent enforcement. This was why she and her companions instead travelled to Cwmbran or Cardiff.
The Argus approached Newport’s Pub Watch organisation, representing the city’s pub and club operators, to ask whether they believed night-time safety had improved since their previous discussion with them in December 2025.
At that time, they indicated that progress had been made in the right direction but that further improvements were possible.
In a fresh statement, they said that from a Pubwatch standpoint, venues had maintained ongoing and productive cooperation with Gwent Police, Newport City Council and the anti-social behaviour team over recent months. This collaborative approach remained crucial, and they remained dedicated to preserving effective communication and joint efforts to tackle problems as they surface.
Like many urban centres throughout the UK, Newport faces its own difficulties. Instances of anti-social behaviour do arise, and these matters are treated with due seriousness. Nonetheless, they would stress that established procedures exist to manage incidents, and they work closely with partner organisations to ensure suitable measures are implemented.
They would actively encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences criminal activity or anti-social behaviour to report it to appropriate authorities promptly, as this facilitates a swift and effective response.
It is naturally worrying to learn that some individuals feel reluctant about visiting the city centre. Addressing this perception is something they are actively pursuing. Alongside the challenges, Newport’s daytime and evening economy offers numerous positive elements, with many professionally managed venues prioritising patron safety and enjoyment.
Ultimately, continued progress depends on collective action, partnership between agencies, responsible venue management, and public participation in raising concerns and supporting local businesses.
Gwent Police were contacted regarding the issues raised in this report.