West End cocaine crackdown

City Bankers, advertising workers and other middle-class professionals who buy small amounts of cocaine and ecstasy are to be openly targeted in a "zero-tolerance" drugs drive in the West End.

Anyone caught with even one "wrap" of cocaine or a single ecstasy tablet will face arrest and prosecution, even if they have a clean record, in a move that police acknowledge could ruin the careers of high-fliers who are caught out. It is hoped the tough new tactic will help stamp out the growing Soho drugs trade.

Bankers and other office workers buy a quarter of drugs in the West End. If caught, they will no longer be cautioned in a move senior officers are convinced is vital to drive out dealers. People in possession of Class A drugs face a prison sentence of six months or a fine of £5,000, or both.

One officer said today: "We are expecting some letters from merchant bankers and advertising executives who've been caught out saying their career is in jeopardy and they face losing their job or can't work in America anymore."

Details of the drive emerged as the Home Office launched a second assault on casual cocaine users - from this week magistrates in Hackney will pilot new drug abstinence orders. The orders will force convicted users to take random drugs tests and face prison if they fail. A Home Office source said: "It's aimed at people who take cocaine at parties, experimental users whose habits develop into real problems for society."

The Soho operation will also target rough sleepers and beggars who police say buy 75 per cent of the heroin and crack sold.

The move comes at time when the Association of Chief Police officers announced that ecstasy should be reclassified as a softer drug and Home Secretary David Blunkett said the possession of cannabis should not be an arrestable offence.

Superintendent Dean Ingledew, head of West End Central Police Station, said: "In the past, people could expect to be cautioned but now they will be charged automatically. This should act as a serious deterrent.

"We are targeting the market because it will reduce low-level crime such as street robberies, burglaries and shoplifting as people try to get money to buy drugs."

Police say Soho is unique as people come from all over London to buy drugs and it has a different community each night.

The initiative will begin at a time the Met's resources are stretched to "breaking point" and the force is spending £1million a week combating the terrorist threat.