Drugs suspects test positive

Drugs are behind an estimated 33% of property crime

Half of the suspects given random drug tests by police in a pioneering scheme have proved positive.

Staffordshire Police began the mandatory drug testing of criminal suspects in July.

It is part of a two-year Home Office pilot project aimed at establishing the extent to which drug addiction fuels property crime.

Over the last five weeks police tested 109 people charged with potentially drug-related "trigger" offences, such as burglary and robbery - 48% were found to be positive.

Suspects were tested for heroin and cocaine

Of those who tested positive, 54% had taken heroin only, 33% tested positive for both heroin and cocaine and 13% for cocaine only.

The drug tests will now be introduced in Nottingham and Hackney, London.

Under the scheme suspects who refuse to provide a sample face a penalty of up to three months in jail or a fine of up to £2500.

Suspects have saliva taken from their mouths at police stations which is then tested electronically.

Once identified as drug users, they can be offered the chance to enter treatment and test results can be provided to a court to help with bail and sentencing decisions.

'Unique opportunities'

Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth said: "Crime is falling but class A drugs misuse continues to fuel a significant amount of property crime.

"We have to break the vicious circle of drug dependency and crime and the criminal justice system offers us unique opportunities to do so."

He added: "We have already seen how mandatory drug testing in prisons has helped to reduce the number of positive drug tests in prisons."

Police have the power to enforce the drug tests after provision was made in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act.

The tests are not for use on all suspects but only those charged with a relevant offence.