Walsall's Crime Reduction Partnership will contact 150 drug addicts who are responsible for the majority of drug related theft, robberies and burglaries in the borough.

Users will be asked to sign a contract committing them to keep appointments with the police and a drug treatment centre.

It is estimated the area will save up to £250,000 for each offender turned away from drugs and crime.

Offenders will be given help to find employment and a place to live.

Workers from the scheme will manage groups of 20 offenders for six months at a time.

Other groups involved in the scheme include the police, council and drugs agencies.