NEWPORT'S top policeman says a spiralling drugs problem in the city has caused a massive increase in street robberies and car crime.

Drug users desperate for a fix of heroin, cocaine or crack are threatening violence and stealing handbags and mobile phones to get the money to feed their habit, says Superintendent Kevin Price.

He says that as a result, the number of street robberies has increased by 80 per cent over the past year.

Taking the month of April, for instance, Superintendent Price said the number of street robberies in Newport rose from 19 last year to 31 this year.

The number of car crimes has also risen dramatically.

In parts of Newport - like Alway and Ringland - there were 65 vehicles broken into in April. That compares with 22 in April 2002.

And the number of car thefts was up from 12 in April 2002 to 30 in April this year.

It is understood that the street price of Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine in Newport is now among the lowest in Britain - because the area is so well supplied.

Drug dealers use this as a tactic, then restricting supply and hiking up prices once they have got users hooked.

But Superintendent Price says he and his fellow officers are more determined than ever to tackle the dealers who are trying to flood Newport's streets with heroin and cocaine.

In August last year, Gwent Police, along with the neighbouring South Wales and Dyfed Powys forces, joined together to form Operation Tarian to combat the threat from Yardie drug gangs and the gun culture they bring - and politicians like Wales Office Minister Don Touhig, the Islwyn MP, warned of the violence and increase in crime associated with these gangs.

Superintendent Price said: "This issue has been highlighted by chief constables of Welsh forces as being the greatest threat to our communities."

And, he says, police are having some notable successes in tackling the dealers: "We are dealing with the threat from Class A drugs traffickers at the highest level.

"Newport has seen a rise in crime, particularly street robberies and vehicle crime, which is unfortunately a by-product of drug use and the availability of drugs.

"The Gwent Police strategy focuses on all levels - from street deals to the commercial level of activity.

"This should send a strong message to those who still believe they can make a living through this evil trade: 'It is just a matter of time before you become the focus of our operations, and we will continue to disrupt your lifestyle based on a trade which threatens the lives of others.'

"Drugs fuelling other crime is a huge problem. Handbags and mobile phones are being stolen in street robberies to get cash so that users can have their next hit."

In May we revealed how cars are being broken into in parts of Newport like Alway, Ringland, Treberth and Bishpool, in under 20 seconds - and stolen in under a minute.

Superintendent Price said: "Items left on display in cars are being stolen to be sold for drugs.

"There is currently a vehicle crime epidemic in Newport."

* The largest drugs haul Gwent has ever seen - £9 million of cocaine - was recovered from a warehouse in Spytty on Saturday night.