HEROIN users in parts of Kent could soon benefit from Britain's first free shooting gallery where they can get free "fixes" 24-hours a day.

The controversial Government-funded scheme may be piloted in the county as early as next spring after research carried out by the recently-formed Kent Drugs Action Team.

Addicts who are unable to kick the habit would be counselled and given three injections every day of pure "pharmaceutical" heroin under plans being considered by the multi-agency group.

Kent's Chief Constable Sir David Phillips, who is also president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, has already given it his backing. Similar schemes have been introduced in Germany, Holland, Switzerland and Australia.

It is aimed at cutting down on crime often committed to the habits of users who have failed to respond to detoxification treatment or prescription of the heroin substitute methadone.

Kent Police spokesman Mark Pugash said: "We know from experience that a high percentage of people who we arrest in connection with vehicle crime and burglary have drug addiction issues. What we are looking at is removing the link between addiction and the committing of crime.

"It is still very early days. We still need to look at who would be eligible, and under what circumstances it would be carried out."

Mr Pugash added that security of such clinics would be of paramount importance and whether drugs should be administered by a clinician or injected by a user.

While no exact area has been identified, it is likely to be in north Kent which has a record of an increasing hard drugs problem.

Howard Shelley, from the West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust's Addiction Service said: "Ideas like this are sometimes given consideration, especially in the context of crime reduction.

"Recently there has been some discussion among service commissioners regarding the feasibility of this type of service. However, at this time, there are no proposals to proceed to service development."