POLICE in Newcastle Emlyn are aiming to tackle the town’s problem with drugs in a two-pronged assault.

While continuing to actively target dealers in the town, police are also looking to work alongside Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service.

The service will be visiting Newcastle Emlyn next month, when its recovery bus – a familiar sight in larger towns such as Carmarthen and Llanelli - will be parked up on Saturday, February 2 from 11am-3pm opposite the Three Compasses pub to offer advice in the fight against drugs.

PCSO Jeff Kedward told a meeting of the town council: “There is a problem in the town with Class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin as well as cannabis.

“But as well as cracking down on this, we are also hoping to encourage people to get help from the drug advice service.

“I don’t for a moment believe we will have a long line of drug users going onto the bus but hopefully friends and family will go along for advice and then try to help these people. We are trying to get people to help themselves.

“The problem with taking out the dealers is that when you do that, another one steps in to take their place. And the people who are addicted to drugs will do anything to get them. They will carry out shop-lifting and burglaries to get money.”

PCSOP Kedward said the problems in Newcastle Emlyn were no worse than in Cardigan but added: “The county lines system is in operation with people coming in from outside the area to supply drugs.

“Dealers are always looking for new markets and it’s an increasing problem.”

Cllr Peter Lewis said: “Police should be as hard as possible on these dealers. Kids starts on cannabis and then work their way up to stronger drugs. It affects the whole town.”

Anyone with information about the use, production or supply of drugs is asked to contact police on 101 or contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.