PCSOs are patrolling Swansea city centre to reassure the public

The return of the Phoenix Operation to Swansea and patrols by police community support officers (PCSOs) have cut car crime and anti-social behaviour.

In Wrexham, the use of mounted officers on loan from Greater Manchester Police has helped to halve violent crime.

South Wales Police said using PCSOs in Swansea had also free conventional officers to tackle more serious crime.

Since Phoenix was reintroduced in June, thefts from vehicles have fallen by a third and 80 people have been arrested.

We don't arrest people, we're building bridges Police Community Support Officer Matthew Collins

PSCOs have sent out more than 1,000 letters to drivers who have left valuables on display in their cars, warning them they may become victims of crime, and been involved in a week-long crackdown on drugs possession at Swansea Magistrates' Court.

Matthew Collins is one of the PCSOs who have been on Phoenix duty. He said providing high visibility police was their priority.

"We tend to walk, talk and meet all the shop owners, ask them how things are, if they have any problems and we will do our best to try and solve the problems," he added.

"We don't arrest people, we're building bridges.

"I'm on first-name terms with every drug user, every alcoholic, not to intimidate them just to be friends with them.

"If you can rehabilitate them, it's all about winning the battle really."

Brian Thomas, a stall holder in central Swansea, said Phoenix had helped in the area.

Mounted police were used over four nights in July

"Each of the various operation that the police have had have made a dramatic difference where they go on," he added.

"When they stop, things revert exactly to the way they were before.

"This new Phoenix Operation has resulted in two regular community officers who visit the High Street on a regular basis and that has had more effect than any of the other operations."

North Wales Police said the number of violent incidents dropped by more than half in Wrexham during Operation Ballamory.

The number of assault victims admitted to accident and emergency at Wrexham Maelor Hospital also fell by 75%, compared to the same period last year, from 16 to four.

The mounted officers were deployed four times at the end of July, each time between 2200 BST and 0300 BST.