ARMED thugs forced their way into a Newport home demanding money and drugs last night.

Four men pushed their way into the house in Aston Street, Brynglas, and threatened the young couple who lived there, shouting: "Give us the money, give us the drugs."

Neighbours heard shouts coming from the house around 8pm.

They went outside to see what was happening and saw a car speeding off, narrowly avoiding a parked car.

The woman said to be in her mid twenties had only moved into the home with her partner just before Christmas and was said to be "hysterical" and sat crying in the street.

She told neighbours she went to answer a knock at the door when the men barged in.

She also claimed they held a knife to her and her boyfriend's throats whilst making their demands. The pair said they didn't have what the men wanted and the gang made off. Police arrived moments later.

The Argus understands the men had targeted the wrong address.

One neighbour said: "She was very, very frightened - quite hysterical really. The police turned up in within seconds. I think when they [the men] hurried off in the car they nearly hit a parked car. They weren't wearing masks or anything but she said they had knives."

Gwent police said officers were called to the address around 8pm following a report of a disturbance.

A spokeswoman said the men searched the downstairs and then left in a vehicle. Nothing was stolen and the occupants were unharmed.

The car the men were travelling in was found later that evening and three men, two aged 31 and one aged 30 were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

They are currently in police custody and inquiries were ongoing.