Almost 300 people die in London from drug abuse each year

More than half of the country's crack-related crimes take place in London, says the London Drugs Indicators Project.

And twice as many people arrested in London reported using the highly-addictive drug as anywhere else in the country.

The project, which looks at drug use and its impact on London, follows government plans to give �500m extra funding for areas where crack cocaine is rife.

Drugs in London 55% of all English crack-related crimes 53% of people arrested report use of crack cocaine 19,000 drug users sought treatment Drug misuse causes 285 deaths a year

Dr Bobbie Jacobson, director of the London Health Observatory (LHO) said: "It sadly confirms that London is the crack cocaine capital of England."

The drug is a major problem for police because it is linked to rises in street crime and burglary.

Scotland Yard has stepped up raids on crack dens and encourages support treatment for addicts.

Drug abuse is greatest in inner London where the boroughs of Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington and Westminster have the biggest problems.

The LHO joined forces with the Greater London Authority and Imperial College London to draw up a clear picture of drug use in London.