Blair to back compulsory drugs tests
Tony Blair will today unveil plans to investigate the possibility of giving the police new powers to carry out compulsory drugs tests.
The prime minister is expected to set out the potential benefits of such a move when he addresses police officers in central London.
It is thought that the Home Office has been asked to look into the arguments for testing people arrested for crimes such as theft and burglary.
The move is intended to get more drug abusers into treatment centres and tackle the link between drugs and crime.
Figures show that up to 75 per cent of the UK’s most prolific offenders are drug abusers.
Mr Blair will also urge his audience to use new powers allowing them to take DNA samples and fingerprints from anyone they arrest.
The Government hopes the measure will improve clear-up rates and help police crack unsolved crimes.
Previously police have only been able to take samples from people charged with a recordable offence. The change in the law comes into effect today.
