More needs to be done to help drug-addicted offenders

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, say parts of the north-east are losing out.

The two MPs had a meeting at the Home Office after Langbaurgh and East Cleveland were excluded from a new national scheme to tackle drugs problems.

The pair say the areas failed to win part of �46m for extra drug testing of offenders in police stations, and for the aftercare of drug-affected criminals.

Redcar MP Vera Baird said the extent of drug-related offending means more help is needed.

She said she had been given assurances more money was available for tackling drugs crime, and that the area may get more money next year.