A POLICE force has been accused of taking taxpayers for a ride after splurging almost £70,000 on four tuk-tuks.
Bosses spent £16,974 on each of the three-wheeled Thai-style taxis — around as much as a new Ford Fiesta or Nissan Micra.
Joe Ventre, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “These costly tuk-tuks may prove difficult to justify.
“Taxpayers expect forces to keep streets safe but that isn’t an excuse for overspending.”
One car dealer said: “Wow! Talk about getting a dodgy deal, they’ve been tuk-tucked up!”
A local wrote: “£16k for a three-wheeler? Even Del Boy and Rodney wouldn’t get away with that for their Reliant Robin.”
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Gwent Police had withheld how much the tuk-tuks cost, saying only that funding came from the Home Office’s Safer Streets programme.
But a Freedom of Information request has revealed the £67,896 fee.
The force said: “The tuk-tuks will be used to patrol parks, walkways and other public spaces across Newport and Abergavenny.
“They are safe spaces to provide crime prevention advice, report incidents to and seek help from if you are feeling unsafe day and night.” Chief Insp Damian Sowrey said: “Feedback’s been overwhelmingly positive.”
