A rise in drug abuse and domestic violence among parents has led to an increase in the number of children being taken into care.

Brighton and Hove City Council has overspent its child social care budget by £2 million because of the crisis.

A ten per cent rise in the cost of looking after children has been blamed directly on an increase in hard drugs, violence and abuse.

Four children were held in secure units this year, the highest number for a decade. One placement is costing £8,500 a week.

The claim was made at a meeting of the children, families and schools committee.

David Hawker, the department director, told The Argus: "There are more children coming into the system.

"There are increasing incidences of substance misuse, domestic violence and mental health issues which put children at risk.

"We have to take responsibility for ensuring those children are safe.

"The work we do is not only essential for the children but it is also a legal requirement - it is not optional."

Councillor Pat Hawkes, who chairs the committee, defended the £22 million spent on care for children last year. She said: "We have a duty to a lot of very vulnerable children and I cannot apologise for that."

Colin Tucker, assistant director for children, families and schools, said the department had turned a corner.

He told the committee a 40 per cent shortage of social workers and staff had been tackled and the cost of placements had been slashed.

Mr Tucker said that if children were at risk because of drug abuse in the home, there was no choice but to take them into care.

"This included babies and in one case nine brothers and sisters were taken in at the same time."

He said a £1.2 million investment in getting more foster families was proving successful.

The increase in social care accounts for most of the overspend.

Savings were made in corporate services and centrally managed budgets to help cover the shortfall.