Police say increased neighbourhood patrols led to a fall in theft and shoplifting offences in Penarth last month.
Officers recently held a community event near Glebe Street on knife crime as part of South Wales Police's 'Safer Streets' initative this summer.
Penarth and Barry are among ten key areas in the region that have been targeted as part of the new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee (NPG), aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour.
According to the force, intelligence-led patrols focusing on so-called 'acquistive crime', such as shoplifting led to a reduction in offences during July, with just three incidents reported in the town centre.
In Barry, there were nine referrals for anti-social behaviour in Holton Road and surrounding areas, such as the misuse of e-bikes and nuisance behaviour from youths.
The neighbourhood team said it had worked closely with secondary schools to provide support to pupils, staff and others following concerns raised in the community linked to ongoing investigations.
The knife crime event in Penarth, held in partnership with Fearless - the Crimestoppers service for young people - and the local council, sought to raise awareness on the dangers of carrying a knife and how to report concerns involving weapons.
Local residents and businesses were also given advice on how to report anti-social behaviour and what the new NPG means to them.
Chief Inspector Tony Williams said: "Neighbourhood policing teams across South Wales Police have been working extremely hard, alongside local authorities and partners, to make our town centres safer in line with the Safer Summer initiative."
"I’d like to remind residents and businesses that each community now has a named, contactable officer, listed for their area enabling them to reach out, engage with the local teams and be kept informed on local issues and priorities."
Officers have been reallocated into neighbourhood policing teams as a result of the UK Government's pledge to restore neighbourhood policing.
By the end of the summer, South Wales Police says around 70 new officers will be providing a high-visibility presence in communities across the region.
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