The declaration — by the district’s top policeman — comes as the Telegraph joined his officers on raids of alleged Greenock narcotics dens, which yielded a haul of hundreds of suspect pills.

Chief Inspector Elliot Brown says that valium or diazepam-like tablets — which cost as little as 50 pence each — are a factor in ‘more and more’ serious assaults.

In an exclusive interview, he told the Telegraph today: “They are regularly featuring in incidents of violence in Inverclyde.

“When mixed with other drugs and alcohol people can become uninhibited in their actions, which is borne out in some of our more recent incidents of violence.

“This is a real concern locally.

“We are seeing it regularly in incidents of serious violence.” A 12-strong drugs raid police team — including officers from the national elite public order unit — swooped on a suspect flat in Greenock’s Neil Street yesterday morning. The squad used a battering ram to force their way into the alleged drug lair after receiving information that illegal substances were being sold from the address.

Another swoop then took place at an address in Dalrymple Street.

Three-hundred blue tablets — which are now undergoing tests to discover if they are diazepam derivatives — were recovered in Dalrymple Street and a man was arrested in the wake of yesterday’s busts.

The co-ordinated intelligence-led operation came in response to information received from vigilant members of the public.

And Ch Insp Brown — Inverclyde’s police commander — today declared that there will be ‘no let up’ in law enforcement activity as part of a major drive to get these and other drugs off the streets.

He said: “We won’t rest. Drugs operations will continue throughout the year — we’re not going to let up.” Other raids carried out in Greenock this week uncovered more blue tablets at an address in Tasker Street and a cannabis cultivation in Sutherland Road.

A recent study by Glasgow Caledonian University into diazepam, alcohol and violence by young men labelled their misuse as ‘The Devil’s Mixture’.

The research found that diazepam, when taken with alcohol, is associated with violence — including weapon use. Ch Insp Brown — who also referred to street derivatives as ‘new psychoactive substances’ (NPS) — said: “This is a real concern locally. The presence of these type of drugs in incidents of serious violence is being seen in a considerable number of cases.

“We are seeing more and more of a presence of diazepam derivatives, which can be pills called etizolam or counterfeit diazepam. There is a danger there also because people don’t know what they are buying.” The area commander added: “We thank the public for the information which has led to these recent operations.

“We would ask anyone who has information on who is dealing in these drugs to contact us, either through the 101 number or Crimestoppers or via our neighbourhood officers.

“These officers have built, and are continuing to build, invaluable relationships with the community just by talking and listening to the public.” Police Scotland has set up a national profiling group which will play a role in tackling drug misuse right across the country.

Detective Superintendent Jim Cuddihy, who chairs it, said: “The group aims to better understand and assess the impact of substance misuse throughout Scotland through the collection, collation and analysis of forensic and scientific information on illicit drugs.

“The group will provide specialist advice to inform policy development including the publication of public health warnings in order to protect our communities and keep people safe.” Ch Insp Brown said: “The message is simple — don’t take these substances.

“By taking these you are risking your life. Legal doesn’t mean safe. We will continue to gather intelligence and do all we can to raise awareness, whilst continuing to enforce the law and keep people safe.”