A row has broken out over comments attributed to a senior Welsh Assembly official about the drugs problem in a north Wales town.

Anti-drugs campaigners in Rhyl want an apology after David A'Herne, Wales' so called Crime czar, was quoted as saying that he wouldn't "go to Rhyl without steel boots" in case he "stepped on hypodermic needles".

Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom says Rhyl needs extra effort

Mr A'Herne maintains his comments were taken out of context and, in a statement, said drugs misuse in Wales needs to be tackled by a partnership approach.

In March this year, UK Home Secretary David Blunkett named a section of the town as one of UK's five crime hotspots.

Rhyl's link with drugs culture has been in the spotlight in recent weeks after a businessman announced plans to open a Dutch-style cannabis cafe in the town.

The chief constable of North Wales Police, Richard Brunstrom, had already opened up the issue with his call for a new debate on the country's policies on tackling illegal drugs.

However, Mr Brunstrom has vowed to close down the proposed cannabis cafe even though this month has seen North Wales Police drugs squad officers travel to Amsterdam to find out how their Dutch counterparts deal with the issue of drugs possession.

Needles can be found near Rhyl's seafront

It is against this background that Mr A'Herne, a former chief superintendent with South Wales Police, made his "steel boots" comment during an assembly committee meeting.

His remarks have been supported by some of those who work on Rhyl's seafront, who have said the drug takers are a nuisance.

Shopkeeper, Dave Jones, said: "They are coming and pinching from the shops. That's paying for their habits."

But his comment runs against the ideas of some of those trying to improve the town's image.

Rhyl West councillor Joan Butterfield said: "Rhyl is a nice place to live - we do have problems but so has every other town within the principality."

The Bishop of St Asaph has publicly defended the seaside resort, warning its label as a crime hotspot could "stigmatise" the town.