A sharp increase in violent robberies in Plymouth and Exeter could be linked to a rise in crack cocaine users.

This month there have been 38 robberies in Plymouth - almost double the number last January.

In Exeter there have been 14, compared with four in the same period last year.

PC Roy Adams of Devon and Cornwall Police, said they are not neccesarily linked, but they could be drug related.

He said: "People with drugs habits become desperate to obtain money and desperation is perhaps the cause of these robberies."

CRACK FACTS

Sold as small crystals to smoke Each 'rock' costs �20 to �25 Addictive and causes heart problems Can cause paranoia and aggression

Have Your Say

Tony Pattinson, manager of outreach services at the Harbour centre in Plymouth, which advises people in the city on drugs and alcohol, said they have been expecting crack cocaine problems to travel down from Bristol for some time.

He said: "There's no reason why Plymouth should escape it.

"More and more people with heroin problems are getting access to crack cocaine."

Alcohol and heroin are still Plymouth's biggest problems, but Mr Pattinson said the increase in robberies could be linked to crack.

"There seems to be a link everywhere else between crack and more aggressive crime.

"We are seeng more street crime and muggings for crack cocaine."

Shops warning

The police and staff at the Harbour centre say the problem has not reached the epidemic levels which Plymouth has been warned about.

And Mr Pattinson said they are working hard to try to stop crack becoming a major problem.

"We know local police are trying to deal with it very forcefully and we are training staff so we can advise people with crack problems."

Police are advising stores open late at night on safety and are increasing patrols in the worst affected areas.