73% SUSPECT THIEVES ON HEROIN

SEVENTY-THREE per cent of suspected thieves were on heroin when they
were arrested, new figures have revealed.

And 15 per cent of people nabbed by police for burglary had also taken
hard drugs.

The figures, recorded since 2004, reflect greater detection of drug
use among criminals - and professionals have vowed to continue to work
together to tackle the issues.

Crack and cocaine abusers are becoming more prevalent while heroin
remains the most popular drug in town says a council report on Safer
Hartlepool Partnership's Adult Drug Treatment Plan 2008/09.

Hartlepool District Commander, Andy Summerbell said: "What we see as a
district is that shoplifting and other theft is linked to the suspect
showing, on a high percentage of occasions, the use of Class A drugs.

"We are working with other partners, including Probation and the Safer
Hartlepool Partnership to address the most prolific offenders in
Hartlepool and part of the answer is that we have drug services for
them.

"We very much support and are delighted there will be a mechanism for
people who are offending because of their drug habits. That will
create a better life for them and a more prosperous business community."

The partnership plan showed that in 2006/07 549 opiate and crack
cocaine users went through drug treatment in Hartlepool but in the
coming year 700 are estimated to go through the system.

While the numbers are on the up the report states that it is partly
down to more accurate analysis on drug activity in the town while
other areas of the country have seen much more severe rises.

Stuart Drummond, speaking at a Cabinet meeting, said: "Heroin is the
drug of choice in Hartlepool but there has unfortunately been a growth
in crack users in the town."

Councillor Victor Tumilty, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and
tourism, said while it was all well and good to tackle heroin and
cocaine problems alcohol still remained the biggest issue.

Mr Drummond said that no extra money is given by the Government
foralcohol problems despite it being high on residents priorities.

He said: "We are setting up services but they are far short of what we
need so for now we must focus on drug issues."

Other "concerning" figures raised by the plan include that 68 per cent
of Hartlepool drug users are currently or have previously injected
drugs.

Crime, which is often linked with drug use, was also highlighted as 73
per cent of those arrested for theft tested positive for opiates while
for burglary 15 per cent tested positive for opiates, 20 per cent for
cocaine and 20 per cent for both since 2004.

The Partnership aims to tackle drug issues by releasing more room in
the specialist drug treatment service, providing suitable
accommodation, increasing access to education and analysing data to
stop those who drop-out of drug rehabilitation programmes.

The Cabinet gave its support to the plan.