TEENAGERS as young as 14 are to be tested for drugs by police in a North-East town.

Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged with burglary, car crime and theft will be tested at Middlesbrough Police Station for heroin, crack and cocaine.

From yesterday, police have also been given the power to test any teenager taken into custody, who they suspect has taken drugs.

Police in the Teesside town have been given the new powers as part of a Government drive to break the links between drugs and crime and to get young users into treatment.

Home Office Drugs Minister Caroline Flint said: "By testing teenagers in Middlesbrough who have been charged with offences that are often linked to drugs, we can identify young people at risk of developing serious drug problems early on and get them treatment and support. We know that young offenders are more likely to use drugs than other young people. We need to intervene and stop class A drug abuse as early as possible.''

She said: "Drug misuse by young people is often linked to alcohol misuse, family or mental health problems. It is vital we take some new approaches and give these young people the help they need.

"An evaluation of the first three years of drug testing on charge, published today, shows that drug testing is identifying offenders with a drug problem and helping to increase the numbers of people getting treatment.

"From today, people charged with begging, handling stolen goods and attempted burglary, in addition to burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested on charge.''

Middlesbrough is to pilot the scheme along with Liverpool, Manchester, Camden, Southwark, Newham, Nottingham, Calderdale, Bradford and Kingston-upon- Hull.

All those testing positive will be referred to a specialist youth worker who will assess and help address their needs.

The minister said: "Overall crime is falling, but class A drugs are still the cause of many crimes. Drug testing is just one part of the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme, on which we are spending nearly half a billion pounds over three years. By targeting drug-using offenders early, we can get them into treatment and away from a life of crime."