Devon and Cornwall are to receive more than �2.5m to fight crime and drug abuse.

The extra funding has been announced by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett.

The cash will be divided between police command units and local groups set up to tackle crime and drugs in their communities.

The extra cash for police units will enable officers to target anti-social behaviour and drug abuse which make an impact on residents' quality of life.

Real change

Plymouth in Devon is getting the most funding.

About �220,000 has been earmarked for the police and more than �300,000 allocated to crime and disorder partnerships in the city.

In Cornwall, about �700,000 is to be made available to similar projects across the whole county.

Devon and Cornwall Police say there has been a huge increase in the amount of crack cocaine on the streets of Devon and Cornwall in particular.

Officers says there has been a five-fold increase in the number of cases involving the drug in just over two years and they have staff solely looking at the problems the drug is creating.

David Blunkett said he hopes the extra funds will enable local agencies to deliver real change on the ground, using the experience of their communities to target investment where it is most needed.