The Hutt City Council is about to launch a plan to give the gang-troubled suburb of Naenae a new look.

The Naenae Community Development Plan will see the council work hand in hand with locals to make the area a nicer and safer place to live.

Hutt City Mayor David Ogden says Naenae faces many issues including gang violence, unemployment and a high number of state houses, but he says it has many positive aspects, including lots of sun, a rail network and good sports grounds.

He says people just want to live in peace and security is a big part of the solution. Mr Ogden says at the moment there are fewer police officers in the area than four years ago and he will be asking the police minister for more officers for Hutt City.