A CRACKDOWN on assaults, bag snatches and anti-social behaviour at Newport's bus station has made it a much safer place, police say.

Operation Chloe was set up to deal with anti-social behaviour at the station, where people were experiencing verbal and physical abuse from drunks and drug-users.

More than ten arrests were made as a direct result of the operation and calls to the police about problems at the station have plummeted, officers said.

The initiative, involving city centre police officers, Newport council and CCTV, also saw bright white lights installed at the station.

PC Debra White, Newport central's crime and disorder reduction officer, said: "The operation was launched because when our city centre team were out and about they were being told about a lot of disturbances at the bus station where there were drunks and people on drugs.

"There were bag snatches and purses being taken if someone put one down. There were a lot of assaults and general disorder.

"The operation involved the city centre team going there on over-time in high visibility patrols.

"There has been a distinct reduction in phone calls to the police and people are saying they feel safer there now.

"The council has brought in bright white lights so that even at night CCTV coverage there is perfect.

"If it looks like the problems are coming back, we'll be doing it again."

A separate initiative has now been launched specifically to deal with the problem of robberies at the station.

Detective Sergeant Bob Toghill said there had been 34 robberies in the city centre area since April - an increase of four per cent since last year. "Over the last few months the Newport city centre area has seen a rise in robberies, predominantly in the Old Green and Castle area. "Gwent Police then adopted a community approach to incorporate both reduction and detection.

"What we have discovered will now be the subject of a pro-active operation and evidence gathering, and there will be arrests and charges brought in future."