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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Top policeman backs no-arrest policy for cannabis
Ananova Thursday 29 Mar 2001 The country's most senior police officer has backed moves to let off drug users found with a small amount of cannabis with a formal warning. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens says the pilot scheme running in Lambeth, south London, is "an innovative step". But he stresses that the measures are part of a pilot scheme and will only be used across other boroughs if they prove successful. "We are not turning a blind eye to crime but we have to prioritise," Sir John said. "Possession and use of cannabis is not a priority." Police in Brixton - one of the country's foremost illegal drugs markets - are introducing the radical new policy to target their resources on the fight against harder drugs such as crack cocaine. Under the policy officers will issue a warning and confiscate the drugs but there will be no arrest. Commander Brian Paddick, who has recently taken charge of policing in the London borough of Lambeth, denied that the move would turn Brixton into a "mini-Amsterdam". He said that confiscating drugs and issuing a warning on the street could take 10 minutes of a constable's time instead of up to 10 hours if the person is arrested, taken to a police station and formally cautioned. "Here an officer will seize the cannabis and it will be signed for by the suspect," Mr Paddick said. "It will be sealed and disposed of. The person in possession has to accept the warning - otherwise they will be arrested." When police stop and search people on the street, about half the arrests are for small amounts of cannabis. Those caught are usually cautioned and even go to court, usually ending up with a £50 fine.
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