A partnership body set up to cut crime in Hertsmere was this week awarded a £90,000 Government grant to pay for initiatives to reduce drug use in the borough.

Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is expected to use some of the grant for 2002/3 to expand its schools drug education programme.

The grant is the second instalment of a three-year allocation under the Communities Against Drugs (CAD) scheme, which aims to fight to break the link between drugs and crime.

Last year the partnership used grant money to buy a drug-testing machine for police and carry out street improvements to stop dealers using their usual locations.

Valerie Kane, the borough council's community safety officer, said the partnership had recently conducted a study to look at the drug issues facing Hertsmere.

The partnership has yet to decide how the money will be used. The Government suggests the grant could be used for more visible policing in drug hot spots, extra CCTV cameras and further support for drug-users and ex-offenders, although it is keen to employ a drugs worker to co-ordinate projects to tackle drug-related crime.

Henry Tam, the crime reduction director for the East of England, said: "The CAD funding is crucial to our our fight to reduce crime in the region and break the cycle between drugs and crime which has such a negative impact on our local communities."

Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership is made up of organisations including the police, the fire service, councils, housing associations and Hertsmere NHS Primary Care Trust.

July 3, 2002 16:00