The government has announced that 14-year-old offenders are to be drug tested from next week.

Home Office minister Caroline Flint launched the new policy in Manchester on Tuesday, where she was visiting a young people's drug service and a custody suite.

A scheme already in operation for adults is now to be extended to include more types of crime and will now involve 14 to 17-year-olds, she confirmed.

In 10 pilot areas in England those arrested and charged with "drug-related crimes" will be tested for class A substances including heroin, crack and cocaine.

Drug-related crimes are defined as being property offences such as burglary, car crime and theft, which research has shown are often committed to support addictions.

Positive tests will result in referrals to specially trained youth workers and the voluntary option of treatment.

Flint said a three-year analysis of the policy for adults had been successful in beginning to break the link between drug use and crime.

"By testing teenagers who have been charged with offences that are often linked to drugs, we can identify young people at risk of developing serious drug problems early on and get them treatment and support," she said.

"We know that young offenders are more likely to use drugs than other young people. We need to intervene and stop class A drug abuse as early as possible.

"Drug misuse by young people is often linked to alcohol misuse, family or mental health problems. It is vital we take some new approaches and give these young people the help they need."