DRUG users who commit crime to feed their habits are being offered treatment under a scheme launched yesterday, on Wearside.

Sunderland Court and Arrest Referral Scheme aims to cut crimes caused by addicts who steal for cash to buy drugs.

Northumbria Police said some drug users, especially those on heroin, need more than £400 a week to fund their habit and often go out stealing several times a day.

Earlier this week, Home Office research showed seven out of ten criminals arrested in Sunderland were hooked on illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

Under the scheme, drug referral workers will be based at police stations in Sunderland and Washington, along with another worker at Sunderland Magistrates' Court.

The staff have wide experience in dealing with drug addicts and alcoholics.

Everyone aged over 18 arrested on Wearside will be offered help to beat their addiction.

Similar schemes have enjoyed success in Gateshead and South Tyneside.

Inspector Fred Elrick, of Sunderland police, said: "There is a clear link between drug use and crime and clearly people need to feed what is an expensive habit.

"The aim of this scheme is to reduce crime, but it also has knock-on effects for the health of the people involved, and hopefully will reduce the public's fear of crime.

"The need for drugs drives these people to commit crimes, and we need to break that cycle by providing the treatment and assistance for people to kick their habits."

Sunderland Drugs Action Team and Northumbria Probation Service are backing the scheme.

Action team coordinator Mandy Taylor said: "Locking people up, letting them go, then locking them up again reduces crime while they are inside, but doesn't have any long-term benefit for them or society.

"We have to recognise that simple punishment is not the full answer."