OFFENDERS in Darlington are to be targeted in a crackdown on drug-driven crime.

Criminals will be offered rehabilitation in a new approach that works on the basis that prevention is better than cure.

Some of the town's most active criminals are hooked on heroin, forcing them to commit numerous offences to feed their expensive habit.

Darlington's Community Safety Partnership, which brings together the Drug and Alcohol Action team, police, youth justice, health and social care services, wants to tackle the issue.

Darlington Primary Care Trust has set aside £200,000 for a young people's anti-drugs campaign, to stop them starting to take drugs and helping those who are already hooked.