HEROIN is driving addicts to steal and burgle, a crime beating scheme has confirmed.

Police and health experts have long said that addiction to the class A drug is leading people to commit crime for cash to feed their habits.

Now the findings of the Sunderland court and arrest referral scheme have added weight to the argument.

The project was launched in August to offer treatment to drug users, in an attempt to end their addiction and break the cycle of offending.

Drug referral workers are based at police stations in Sunderland and Houghton-le-Spring, and at Sunderland Magistrates' Court to offer help to criminals.

Between August and October they carried out 104 assessments of offenders, of which 32 were heroin users.

Sixteen heroin users had been arrested for dishonesty offences, such as burglary and theft.

Workers found 41 offenders suffered from alcohol problems, with 26 of those arrested for violence or disorder. The remaining criminals assessed were users of amphetamines, cannabis, Ecstasy, or other opiates.

The scheme has seen some offenders enter into treatment, or attend their GPs for help.

Mandy Taylor, coordinator of Sunderland drug action team, said, nationally, drug treatment programmes had helped to reduce the amount of money addicts sought to steal by 90 per cent.

She said: "The impact on the community is immense, and if we are only half as good as national figures, it will be pleasing.

"People recognise that locking someone up isn't the answer. You have to help them."

Mal Maclean, of the anti-drug group, Turning Point, said: "We have been encouraged by the start of the scheme, and particularly the cooperation from the police and the main providers.