HUNDREDS of drug addicts across Darlington and County Durham have taken up an offer by police to help them break their habit and avoid a life of habitual crime.

During the first year of Durham Constabulary's £500,000 drug arrest referal programme, a total of 428 suspects, who were believed to have been offending to feed a habit, have accepted help.

The scheme relies on the force's front-line investigators and custody sergeants to identify suitable candidates.

Heroin users are being particularly singled out and Durham and Darlington alone have accounted for more than half of referrals.

A four-strong team of specialist workers from the North-East Council for Addiction (NECA) carry out clinical assessments of the suspects as soon as possible after their release - and often when they are still in custody.

Detective Inspector Mick Nail, Durham's crime and drugs strategy coordinator, oversees the scheme.

He said: "The busiest and most densely-populated areas - Durham and Darlington - have been responsible for more than 280 referrals. While the take-up in the other divisions might appear slower there is undoubtedly widespread and growing recognition that what is on offer can cut crime."

DI Nail said one offender cut his habit from £30 a day to £10 a week in less than two months and, after continued support in jail, is now drug-free and in the throes of setting up a business.

A 20-year-old woman with a £50-a-day habit built up three dozen shoplifting convictions within two years. Now, she is drug-free and has not been arrested for any offence in six months.

And he said any officer can play a part. "Any police officer can refer a detainee to the NECA specialists, who can be contacted by phone, fax or as they make regular checks at police stations," he said.

"But custody staff and front-line investigators are the ones in prime position to identify those committing crime to fund drug use."

The scheme had no inducements, he said, and had no impact on charges brought.

Individuals pass through the courts as normal, as the scheme is designed to cut drug-related crime.