NEW police powers aimed at breaking the link between drug abuse and crime has been launched this week in Prestwich.

Greater Manchester Police can now give mandatory drug tests to prisoners over the age of 18 charged with certain "trigger" offences including burglary, robbery, theft, deception and possession or supply of killer drugs.

Five police divisions, including Bolton and Rochdale, will spearhead the new drug testing powers while the remaining divisions, including Bury, adopting the scheme in the near future.

A dedicated training course has been devised to instruct the 40 newly recruited Civilian Detention Officers (CDOs) in the use of the drug test technology. Their primary function will be to perform the mandatory drugs testing. However, they will also be trained in skills required for work in custody suites.

The Mandatory Drug Testing scheme was launched on Monday at the Sedgley Park Police Training School in Prestwich. It forms part of the National Drug Strategy and aims to identify those people who misuse heroin and/or crack cocaine, the drugs most commonly associated with acquisitive crime.

The initiative also aims to make further progress in breaking the link between drugs and crime by monitoring the progress of drug users, encouraging them to address their drug misuse and deter future habit.