A MAJOR scheme has been launched countywide to combat repeat offending by drug addicts.

The drug testing on arrest scheme will now be carried out at every custody suite in Essex, including at Clacton police station, to test for Class A drugs.

Out of 270 people arrested in April and tested, 43 per cent tested positive for opiates or cocaine. Essex Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: “That we did not understand how many of the people behind acquisitive crime were taking Class A drugs is appalling.

“Many drug users commit crime to feed their addiction, so fewer drug users means fewer criminals and, crucially, fewer victims. Doing things the way they’ve always been done won’t break the cycle.

“This vital funding brings police and specialist drugs workers together to turn lives around, get the right treatment in place and keep our communities from the harm crime causes.”

People will be tested for drugs and offered treatment programmes if needed.

The scheme will cost about £2.6million over two years with funding from the Home Office, Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston and councils.

Mr Alston said: “The evidence shows successful treatment for drug misuse has the potential to reduce reoffending.”

Essex University will carry out research on the programme.

Those arrested for certain offences, such as shoplifting, will be tested.

About two-thirds of shoplifting in Essex is committed to feed drug habits, according to research.

Heroin and crack addicts are estimated to cost more than £25,000 each per year.

The move comes after police in Clacton launched a campaign to crack down on London drug gangs Chief Insp Russ Cole, Tendring district commander, said gangs often used drugs as bait before using vulnerable people’s homes as bases to supply Class A drugs.