Gwent Police has offloaded its fleet of four electric tuk-tuks for only £6,000 (approximately RM39,000) after just two years, representing a staggering loss of £28,350 (around RM184,000). The vehicles, purchased in 2022 at a total cost of £34,300 (roughly RM223,000), were originally funded through a £673,181 (RM4.37 million) Home Office ‘Safer Streets’ grant aimed at increasing police visibility and preventing crime.
The tuk-tuks, commonly used as taxis in Asia, were intended to patrol parks, pedestrian walkways, and community hotspots at a top speed of 34mph. The initiative formed part of a wider £638,881 (RM4.15 million) scheme tackling high-priority issues such as violence against women, burglary, and anti-social behaviour.
At launch, the vehicles were hailed as a “novelty” to deliver high-visibility reassurance patrols. Officers and community ambassadors were to use the tuk-tuks during both day and night to engage with residents and visitors in Newport and Abergavenny. Despite initial positive feedback from local residents, the vehicles attracted online ridicule for their limited practical use.
Gwent Police confirmed that the £6,000 (RM39,000) recovered from the sale has been reinvested into other Home Office-approved ‘Safer Streets’ projects. A spokesperson explained that while the final sale price was lower than anticipated, the market for such specialised vehicles is limited and the outcome was largely beyond the force’s control.
The tuk-tuks were first showcased at a “Behind the Badge” event, where residents could view them and learn about their role in supporting young people and women at night. Chief Inspector Damian Sowrey stated the initiative aimed to make the community feel safer, but the eventual financial loss highlights the challenges of such experimental patrol methods.
Gwent Police have indicated that the remaining funds from the grant will continue to support crime prevention and community engagement initiatives, despite the setbacks with the tuk-tuks.
