DRUG addicts arrested on the streets of are being offered a new opportunity to kick their habit when they get taken into the police station.

Two new drug referral workers have been appointed in Bolton in a bid to divert people who come into police custody away from drug taking.

Gill Ewan and Deborah Wilkinson will be based in police custody offices in Bolton offering a confidential support service. In some cases this will include referring addicts to counselling, treatment or detoxification services.

The scheme is voluntary and no one will be forced to take part.

The new strategy is being introduced across Greater Manchester in a bid to cut the amount of drug related crime by breaking the addiction and removing the desperation that leads many addicts to steal to pay for their next fix.

The decision to accept help in kicking their drugs habit will not affect the outcome of a prisoner's case, but will give them the opportunity to break the cycle and improve their lives.

Police estimate that drug related crime costs about £12 million per year in Greater Manchester.

Ch Insp Alison Fletcher is co-ordinating the new drug referral project. She said: "Helping offenders to tackle their drug problems and become better members of society has a significant impact on levels of crime.

"Often the drug users themselves just don't know where to turn for help and this scheme could well be the catalyst for many offenders to make a fresh start."