The federal government announced on Tuesday it has approved funding for 100 new RCMP officers to be stationed in Surrey, B.C.

Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner promised during the lead up to the Nov. 15 municipal elections that, if elected, she would tackle crime in the burgeoning city by adding 100 fully-trained police officers within her first two years in office.

On Tuesday, Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay said the new officers will begin work "as soon as possible."

Tough-on-crime approach

Surrey has been gripped by a recent surge of gang-related violence. Police say two different groups of Somali and South Asian descent have been engaged in a turf war over drugs.

In addition to new police officers, Findlay said Ottawa is committing an additional $3.5 million over the next five years to the Surrey School District and crime prevention programs.