A PIONEERING scheme piloted in York to tackle the menace of drug-related crime is being launched throughout the rest of the county today.

North Yorkshire Police's Drug Arrest Referral Scheme has completed a successful trial period in York and was today being expanded by Assistant Chief Constable Peter Walker at the city's Fulford Road Police Station.

The pilot project saw anyone arrested for the first time for possession of drugs for their own use given the choice of going ahead with the legal process or seeing drugs workers, who offer advice, help and, where appropriate, referral to a specialist drug help service.

Devised with the North Yorkshire and City of York Drug Action Teams, results proved very positive in York.

Mr Walker said at today's launch: "This success has led to government funding for other schemes in the region. It is a more comprehensive approach to people's drug problems and is much better than the 'nick them and bin them' attitude."

Mr Walker denied the police were getting soft on drugs with the introduction of the scheme.

"For many people facing up to problem drug use it will be the hardest thing they've ever done. We know from the York pilot that out of 421 individuals referred to the scheme, 379 took up the offer of help."

Detective Constable Paul Johnson, the York drugs co-ordinator who orchestrated the scheme, said: "Successful though the pilot was, we realised we were missing out on crime that might be drug-driven. For instance, we might arrest someone for shoplifting and put them into the judicial process simply as a thief; but what if they have stolen to pay for the drugs they are addicted to?"

Those arrested for matters other than drug possession will be able to see an arrest referral worker, but do not have the option of having the legal process halted if they do.

Mr Walker, a representative of the Drugs Tsar, Keith Hellawell, said: "Expert advisors are now in place across North Yorkshire and I believe this positive approach will combine with their skills to form a potent weapon against the scourge of drug abuse."