The new scheme would see at least 10 metro police officers assigned to each of the city's 130 municipal wards, spokesman Nthatisi Modingoane said in a statement.

The initiative was in line with a programme envisaged by mayor Parks Tau in his state-of-the-city address delivered in March.

"This demonstrates the city's firm intention to take back the streets and work with communities and residents to create neighbourhoods where every man, woman and child can feel safe and secure."

Modingoane appealed to residents to trust and support the metro police in their fight against crime.

"The city will work closely with the SA Police Service, community police forums, ward committees, neighbourhood watches and accredited private security agencies to achieve a shared objective of a safer city."