The home secretary has announced details of a £190 million package to tackle crime and drug abuse.

With polls showing public doubts over the government's handling of law and order issues, David Blunkett sought to reclaim the agenda on Tuesday with a funding boost for the communities worst hit by drugs and crime.

Over £46 million will go to the 30 selected areas. Police commanders will get a further £50 million and community groups will receive a £94 million cash boost.

The funding will allow more drug testing and treatment, as well as a new aftercare system for those leaving prison.

The 30 areas are those that have the highest level of crimes such as burglary, theft and shoplifting which are associated with drug abuse.

Police forces will be free to spend their cash on local priorities, although the Home Office highlighted areas such as anti-social behaviour and drugs where the funding could "make a real impact".

"These substantial extra funds will enable local agencies on the front line to boost the work they do to tackle crime and drug misuse," pledged Blunkett.

"We want to give local partnerships the resources and flexibility to target investment where it will reduce crime and deliver real change on the ground.

"This is part of our drive to decentralise, to ensure that there are both resources and responsibility at local level, and that we draw together the inter-related issues of class A drugs and crime."

Ministers are to review the existing crime reductions funds with a view to merging them and creating a "single more flexible funding stream to cut down bureaucracy".

"Money on its own cannot automatically solve problems in an area affected by drugs and crime so we will be working closely with local agencies and the voluntary sector to spread best practice and make the best use of all additional resources which will be made available," the home secretary said.