Hard drugs cost more in Nottingham than many other cities

The cost of heroin and crack cocaine is much higher in Nottingham than in Birmingham or Bristol, with heroin now costing up to �50 per gram.

Nottinghamshire Police and the city council say this reflects their efforts to prevent the supply of illegal drugs.

But drug workers in the city say it just means addicts will steal more to pay for their fix.

Treatment programmes

Jackie Murray from the Emmanuel House day centre said: "I've heard some of the drug users complaining about the rise in price and that they've had to do more shoplifting."

"It may deter someone from trying it, but once they're addicted, it doesn't matter what price it is, they'll do whatever it takes to get their hit."

But Superintendent Nick Holmes, from the city division of Nottinghamshire Police, felt the crime figures do not back that up.

He said: "Burglary, shop robbery and street theft are all significantly down, particularly in the last six months."