A SCHEME aimed at tackling drug-related crime has won praise from the Home Office for its consistently high level of performance.

The Safer Hartlepool Partnership's Drug Interventions Programme (Dip) is the first in the North-East, and only the second in the country, to gain six green key performance indicators.

Dip works with offenders to tackle their drug problems and help change their lives, moving them away from a lifestyle of crime and into treatment.

A number of strategies are used to tackle drug-related crime, including a programme known as Tough Choices, introduced in April.

People committing certain offences undergo mandatory drug tests when arrested. If their sample shows up positive for class A drugs, they are required to attend and remain for an assessment of their drug use.

If charged with an offence, they can be given restrictions on their bail conditions.

As part of the treatment process, service users can take part in art, sport and music activities. The activities are open to all adults with class A drug problems, not just those involved in the criminal justice system.

Dip manager, Chris Catchpole, said: "We are trying to break the destructive cycle of drugs, crime and eventually prison - and we are winning.

"It is, however, about tough choices, not soft options, and offenders facing restrictions on bail must comply with assessment and follow up treatment recommendations or face going to prison."

"It is also cost-effective. For every £1 spent in treatment, at least £9.50 is saved in criminal justice and health care costs."

Hartlepool mayor Stuart Drummond, who is also chairman of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: "We are fully aware of the very real link between drugs and crime, and we have been hugely successful in reducing crime over the past three years. A lot of that is down to the excellent work that is happening within the Dip."