Gwent Police's new chief constable said tackling domestic abuse and protecting the vulnerable is top priority

The new chief constable for Gwent Police said "the biggest priority without question" is that we protect the most vulnerable in our communities.

It's day one in her new role and the chief constable, Pam Kelly is keen to lay out her priorities for the force over the next 10 years.

She said what really matters is that when people are vulnerable, as a police service "we are there to look after them." She said this of course comes with also investigating the crime and making sure offenders are brought to justice.

As chief constable she hopes to show communities in Gwent that vulnerability is something that they are "passionate about" and dealing with.

When referring to the most vulnerable in society, the chief constable said domestic abuse is something which must be addressed.

She said almost a fifth of incidents are domestic related and referred to it as an "epidemic."

As well as working close with other partner organisations to provide support to victims she said there is an other side of it.

That is to make sure schools "understand what domestic abuse is."

When asked what she hoped to achieve in her 10 year tenure. She said she wants to make three pledges.

As well as dealing with vulnerability and crimes linked in a "robust" way.

She said serious organised crime is also another key priority, which can only be prevented with proactive policing.

Her third pledge was that she wanted to ensure her police officers "felt valued" and the public recognised the valuable work they do everyday.

Geographically, Gwent Police is the smallest force in Wales - but covering both rural and urban areas, the chief constable is keen to cover a number of other issues.

COUNTY LINES For the chief constable collaboration is key. The force works closely with other four forces across Wales as well as agencies like National Crime Agency.

She said the issue for them is not to be "complacent."

Although county lines is taking place in some Welsh cities. The chief constable said the issue is "spilling out into smaller villages not just in Wales but across the UK."

She said what is important is that "we are having real conversations with parents, with communities, with young people about what county line is."

She said it's about asking the questions like 'why is it that a young person might have a brand new trainers?' or 'Why are they hanging round the wrong people?'

Parents and communities needs to pick up on these signs to help prevent young people getting involved in the vicious cycle of county lines, she added.

In Newport, funding has been given from the home office to pilot an education initiative to raise awareness of county lines with young people.

EMERGING CRIMES SUCH AS CYBER CRIME The chief constable spoke about the importance of understanding and getting to grips with emerging crimes like cyber crime. A crime that she said "touches everybody" in some way.

She referred to cyber crime as "one of our hidden streets."

She said its a "virtual street" that we need to police.

INCREASING DEMAND FOR POLICE With everyone now having a mobile phone, people can contact the police all the time.

The chief constable said "we need to be able to manage that problem so making sure we work diligently in terms of 101 calls."

As part of the plan the force have introduced social media desks for people who don't want to pick up the phone but want to get in touch with Gwent police.

The challenge is "not to deal with the here and now, but to look to the future, she added.

ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICERSChief Constable said they take police officer assaults very seriously.

At Gwent Police they are increasing the number of officers that have tasers with them on duty.

She said "20% of the overall staff will have a taser - they are good deterrents if people have a weapon."

When asked if the laws around assaulting police officers is tough enough she said the issue is "Why is it happening in the first place?"

When asked about police funding, the chief constable that they have been operating on a "thin blue line."

She said she is pleased to hear that police funding is at the top of the political agenda.

But said it's still unclear how much actual funding Gwent Police will receive.