A radical new scheme for testing teenage criminals for hard Drugs is to be piloted in Bradford.

The Government announced today that the city is one of ten areas across England chosen to pioneer the programme of drugs testing because of its high levels of theft and burglary.

From Saturday, children aged between 14 and 17 will be routinely blood-tested for crack, cocaine and heroin when they are charged with property and car crime.

It is the first time in the country youngsters have been tested in this way.

Youngsters who test positive will be offered help and treatment - but they are free to refuse the help if they want.

The initiative, which was being announced by Home Office Minister Caroline Flint today, has been extended from an adult version of the scheme which was launched last year in Bradford and in other parts of the country.

A Home Office spokesman said Bradford would have been chosen because of the district's high levels of crime involving the taking of other people's property.

Around 50 per cent of adults arrested and tested so far in the adult Bradford scheme have been found to have been taking Class A drugs.

The Home Office spokesman said while the drug testing would not automatically reduce the number of people taking drugs, it would highlight those who were and it would give them the chance to get help.

The blood tests will be carried out after charges at police stations by either medically trained officers or by medical staff.

Yvonne Oliver of Bradford's Ripple Drugs Services said the pilot project could throw out a lifeline to some youngsters who are struggling with an addiction to hard drugs.

She said: "The earlier it is detected the more likely interventions like this are going to help.

"Being 14 and taking drugs is like being on a roller-coaster. It's a hard life trying to get money to pay for the drugs and trying to keep it a secret from people near to you.

"I think a significant amount of young people will want help and want to find a lifeline and a way out of the horrific mess they are in."

Bradford Area Drugs Co-ordinator, Detective Sgt Colin Stansbie, said: "The scheme is designed to get people into drugs treatment but at the end of the day it's the youngsters' call whether they accept the help or not.

"The project will highlight young people who need help and hopefully will help divert those who take the help from committing more crime."

Anyone who refuses being tested will be committing an offence. Results of the drug test are made known at first court appearances.

Caroline Flint was today launching the new programme in pilot areas across England.

Other areas where the scheme will be trialled include Manchester, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Hull and the London boroughs of Camden, Southwark and Newham.

Today the Government was also publishing details of the results of the drug testing programme of adult suspects.