DRUG LINK TO CRIMES

OVER a third of suspects arrested by police test positive for class
A drugs, it was claimed yesterday.

Blood tests taken on suspects revealed traces of heroin, crack or cocaine.

They were held for "trigger" crimes, like robbery and burglary,
where the aim was to generate cash.

The figures were revealed at the end of a nine-month study by three
police forces.

Of the 34,497 people detained, 12,865 tested positive for class A drugs.

The worst area was South Yorkshire where 40.56 per cent had taken
drugs. Greater Manchester had 37.04 per cent and Nottingham 34.45 per cent.

The 2005 Drugs Act allows officers to test arrested suspects for drugs.