The scheme, which has been running in 30 areas in England since April, targets adult offenders who commit crimes to fund their drug habit.

All offenders involved in crimes which generate cash will be drug-tested when charged by police.

The scheme is also being trialled in Leicester from April 2004.

Successful campaign

Offenders who test positive for drugs are then guided into any appropriate treatment while in police custody.

The project has been running successfully in Nottingham, and will be expanded to the rest of the county.

The scheme in the city has received strong public support through the "Rat on a Rat" initiative.

This has resulted in 500 people being arrested for drug offences since September, 126 of them for supplying drugs.