POLICE boarded up a flat yesterday in New-port's first 'crack house' closure in the fight against hard drugs.

In a high-profile police and council operation Leanne James' flat at Meon Close, Bettws, was boarded up for three months under new powers granted by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act.

But 23-year-old Ms James - who is now homeless - says she is innocent. "I have been branded for life."

Operation Crackdown is a three-month police initiative in which Welsh and English forces are targeting Class A drug dealers and crack houses. The police and council said Ms James made her neighbours' lives "hell" and claimed the flat was used as a crack den and for the selling of hard drugs.

But 23-year-old Ms James denies being involved with hard drugs: "I am shocked. I had an ex-partner who was a user but that was all at another property.

"I've been living here for five years without any problems but now they've branded me for life."

She has not been charged with any criminal offence and the powers of the Act are under civil proceedings which forego the burden of proof necessary for successful criminal prosecutions.

Like Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, crack house closures can be supported by hearsay evidence.

Ms James is now homeless and must pay rent on the property for the next three months.

Her mother, Francesca James, 41, is standing by her daughter and said: "There are many more houses on the estate where this should have happened."

Sergeant Bernie Dawson, from Bettws police, who led the closure action, said neighbours went through "hell." He said Ms James was a "victim" and urged her to undergo treatment.

He said: "This is the first time we have used it but it won't be the last time and we are looking at other addresses in Newport."

Police said the action was taken in response to the discovery of used needles near the St David Lewis and Millbrook junior and infants schools, people's fears about giving evidence and the recovery of drug "parapher