Local Priorities - Drugs & Related Issues

Local Priorities - Drugs & Related Issues

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Drugs and related issues, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

Yesterday, the Bettws Neighbourhood Policing team were conducting foot patrols in the area of Viaduct Way and the river path following reports of on-going drug activity. During these patrols, no persons were seen involved in this activity however we will continue to conduct patrols where shifts allow.

Following on from this, several residents made officers aware of a vehicle that appeared to be abandoned in the area. When officers located the vehicle, the vehicle was notified off-road and had drug paraphernalia inside. As a result, the vehicle was seized.

Thank you for those who reported the on-going drug activity and this vehicle. Your information and vigilance play a key role in assisting our investigations.

The illicit drugs market is big business, worth an estimated £9.4 billion a year and drug deaths have reached an all-time. Taking the health harms, costs of crime and wider impacts on society together, it is estimated the total costs of drugs to society are over £19 billion, which is more than twice the value of the market itself.

If you are adversely affected by antisocial behaviour in your community associated with drug use, The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 outlines the flexible tools and powers that the police, local authorities and other local agencies can use to respond quickly and effectively to antisocial behaviour.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.gwent.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. 

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Get Involved

Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on.  Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 

Please click here to complete the survey