Monmouth's outgoing police seargent says he has had the most enjoyable time of his career working in the town.

Sgt Dick Bull is taking up a new post in Newport this week after five years which have seen a reduction in both crime and anti-social behaviour in Monmouth.

"It has been really good to work in the community I live in, a community I care about," he said.

"I've had a lot of success in my time here, which proves that neighbourhood policing works.

"As much as we have to respond to incidents, the neighbourhood policing team is dealing with issues in the long-term in order to resolve problems.

"Policing here has been very positive the past few years. Anti-social behaviour and crime are going down and I see no reason why that should not continue.

"I care about this community and so do the officers who work here."

Sgt Bull said he will miss working in Monmouth but admits he is looking forward to the challenge of city centre policing.

"It is very different to a rural setting and there will be different challenges – mainly the volume of crime," he said.

Sgt Bull, whose replacement Sgt Steve Thorpe is coming from Newport, also paid tribute to those he had worked with in Monmouth.

"I have to say the officers – PCs and PCSOs – have been top quality.

"They are some of the best people I have ever worked with in the police force – and that's from those at the top in Monmouthshire to the PCSOs.

"I have had a good working relationship with the council and landlords, and I want to say a big thank you to all those who have assisted me.

"I will miss working here but the force is dedicated to driving down crime and anti-social behaviour whether it is in Newport or Monmouth."

Turning to the future, Sgt Bull admits there are challenging times ahead for the police.

"Cuts have resulted in us having to close front desks, but we are developing other ways of engaging with the community.

"The mobile police station is one opportunity for people to engage with us, and we will continue to hold PACT meetings with residents.

"There will also be a surgery taking place each Tuesday at Monmouth Police Station between 2pm and 4pm. If people have concerns or if they just want to talk to someone, feel free to pop in."

Dick is pictured here holding the baton from the Henry V statue outside the Shire Hall after it was recovered following its theft in 2010.