A MASSIVE increase in the use of the highly-addictive drug crack cocaine across York has led to an upsurge in other types of crime.

Some local drug users are "doubling up" a heroin addiction with a crack habit, the Evening Press has learned.

Crack is a crystallised form of cocaine which is said to deliver an instant "hit". Dealers across the city are selling £10 or £20 "rocks" or "stones", as they are known, which users smoke.

A senior detective said today officers were working hard to beat the problem, which was made worse because of the drug's relatively low cost and easy availability.

A north York former heroin user said he had only tried crack once, buying it from a dealer in Clifton.

But he understood why it was so addictive and added it was "common" for a heroin addict to develop a crack habit as well.

"It's free as a bird, it's everywhere. The smackheads (heroin users) are using it then coming down on gear (heroin).

"They like the hit it gives them, but the comedown is really heavy so then they take some smack (heroin) to get through it.

"It means they are paying for not just one habit but two, and paying for one is expensive enough."

Clifton Moor-based PC Daz Sheriston said rising petty crime could be linked to addicts' needs to steal to fund their habit.

He added: "It seems to make people who are addicted to it more violent than, say, a heroin addict. All they are thinking about is their next hit."

"People who have habits this size - some are spending £250 a day - can only supply them one way, and that is through crime.

"Thankfully measures are being taken. There is a lot of excellent work being done at a local level, such as in Clifton, while the new drugs squad has had some very good results already."

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Barlow, head of York CID, confirmed York had seen a big increase in the use of crack cocaine.

He added: "There's no doubt that the amount of petty crime we're dealing with is linked to this. Crack is much more addictive than heroin, but just as cheap.

"Obviously we're working hard to beat the problem."

* In August, we revealed how the price of York heroin had plunged to become cheaper than cannabis.

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, December 12, 2001