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UK: Boost to Brixton cannabis scheme

Justin Davenport

Evening Standard

Monday 11 Feb 2002

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PLANS to extend Scotland Yard's Brixton experiment on cannabis across London
have taken a step closer, writes Justin Davenport.

An internal Met report on the "softly-softly" approach to cannabis use
in Lambeth reveals it has saved 2,500 police man hours - effectively
putting an extra two officers on the beat - while arrests for Class A
drugs increased by 19 per cent.

The early findings of a MORI poll also show Brixton people broadly support the
scheme in which cannabis users are cautioned rather than arrested for its
possession.

However, Met Commissioner Sir John Stevens and his senior officers are waiting
for an external study from the Police Foundation charity on the success of the
project before a final decision.

Fred Broughton, the chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales,
which represents rank-and-file officers, has criticised the initiative saying
it has led to a huge influx of drug users attracted by the more relaxed
approach to cannabis.

Lambeth borough commander Brian Paddick refuted the suggestion. Deputy
Assistant Commissioner Mike Fuller will draw up the plans to extend the scheme
across London, if it gets the go-ahead.

 

 

 

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