An 11-year-old boy was among those caught with the drug by Strathclyde Police in 2004 to 2005 along with a 74-year-old woman charged with supplying the substance in 2006 to 2007.

Figures released show arrests by the force for possession of the drug rose from 674 in 2004 to 2005 to 1,751 last year.

The number arrested for supplying the Class A substance also increased from 79 to 708 for during the same period.

Northern Constabulary saw arrests for possession soar from 20 in 2004 to 117 in 2008 to 2009. The force also saw the number of people arrested for supplying rise from 3 to 33 for the period.

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary saw arrests for possession increase from 5 to 29 and arrests for supply drop from 18 to 12 for the period.

Det Supt Willie MacColl, of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, said there was a "hidden population" of drug users in Scotland.

He said: "We need to change attitudes and educate our children and young people about the risks associated with drug misuse, as well as other older sections of society who wrongly perceive this to be a clean and safe drug.

"Evidence suggests that cocaine availability and use is on the rise, particularly among young and middle-aged people with disposable income, as well as chaotic or problem drug users."