Police say heroin addicts commit crime costing �45,000 a year

People in Nottinghamshire are being urged to 'shop' drug dealers - in the county's largest Crimestoppers campaign so far, called Rat on a Rat.

Nottinghamshire police says research shows a heroin user commits crime costing �45,000 a year to fund a habit.

It is estimated that crime totalling �60m is being committed in Nottingham alone by drug users.

That estimate comes to �100m for Nottinghamshire as a whole.

Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts explained: "This is a force-wide campaign...it marks a long term commitment by the force to fight the menace of drugs supply.

"This is the largest Crimestoppers campaign ever run in Nottinghamshire and we are confident that, with the public on our side, we will make a very visible impact on improving the lives of local people."