The campaign has been launched in the Sandfields area to fight the rising threat from drug dealers.

The Sandfields sector is our number one crime hot spot accounting for 18% of recorded crime in the Neath Port Talbot division

South Wales Police Superintendent Heather Murray

'STOP' - Sandfields Takes On Pushers - has the support from the local authority and South Wales Police.

Every household in the area will receive a leaflet telling them how to contact a confidential police hotline to give information about drug dealing.

Awareness-raising events have been organised for young people and parents and a police caravan has been parked outside local shops to give help and advice.

South Wales Police Superintendent Heather Murray said: "The Sandfields sector is our number one crime hot spot accounting for 18% of recorded crime in the Neath Port Talbot division.

Sandfields pupils will distribute info leaflets

"The growing drugs problem is a major concern and we are talking about heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine," she said.

"It is a dual problem for us because along with the drugs comes a crime wave of small items which can easily be exchanged for money or drugs.

"But we should also be able to offer help and treatment to people.

"Support and information from the community itself is a major factor in the success of initiatives like this one.

"But we have to be careful that, in solving a problem in one area, it doesn't displace itself to another."

Cllr Noel Crowley: warns against drugs 'menace'

Pupils from Sandfields Comprehensive School have been drafted in to help to distribute leaflets.

Alison Ward, of Neath Port Talbot Local Action Team on Substance Misuse, said: "Sadly, drugs are becoming more and more of a threat to our local communities.

"The availability of the very dangerous and addictive drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine is increasing.

"The police are doing everything they can but the only way to tackle this effectively is to get everybody in the community involved in working together to assist in removing this danger from our streets."

Concerns

Neath Port Talbot Council said children, in particular, were under threat.

Council leader, Noel Crowley, who is also the local member for Sandfields East said: " I am urging everyone living in Sandfields to join me in fighting this menace to our society.

"All parents and grandparents will be very concerned to think of the danger that drug dealers pose to children in our local communities.

"I really believe that if we all pull together we will be successful in overcoming the threat before it is too late."

Anyone with any information about drug dealing in the area are asked to contact, in confidence, the South Wales Police hotline on 01639 640250.