Crack-cocaine is driving rising violence and crime in the UK as its use spreads from cities to the countryside, the Home Secretary will warn today as she vows to ensure "our sons and daughters are protected".
Amber Rudd will today launch the Government's £40million Serious Violence Strategy which aims to deter young people from getting into gangs.
She will highlight the "devastating impact" of crack cocaine as gangs groom children to sell Class A drugs as they branch out from cities into rural towns.
It comes amid concerns that use of highly-addictive crack cocaine is increasing as it becomes both purer and cheaper.
The Home Secretary will also reveal plans for new laws to restrict access to...