Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city is taking immediate steps to improve public safety in the Gastown neighbourhood.

Sim says they鈥檒l work with the Vancouver Police Department to establish a community policing centre in Gastown as residents and businesses there say they want increased visibility of officers.

A statement from Sim says more focused attention will be brought to the area using several police resources and tactics.

He says the approach will address street-entrenched offenders and help the business community with violent robberies associated with repeat shoplifters.

While Gastown is a draw for tourists, it also neighbours the Downtown Eastside, and Sim鈥檚 statement says they are confident the added police presence will bring immediate relief and a sense of security.

Sim says they have heard the residents of Gastown and surrounding communities 鈥渓oud and clear鈥� that they want action to address street disorder.

鈥淭hese two steps are not a silver bullet and more will need to be done to bring back a sense of safety in your neighbourhood,鈥� Sim said in the statement.