Police revolt over change in cannabis law

Police forces around England and Wales are revolting against changes in the law on cannabis introduced by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, whom they accuse of creating confusion.

Some are even saying they will ignore his order for a "softly, softly" approach to the drug and, instead, plan to prosecute offenders to the limit of the law in all cases

While the Metropolitan Police and its experiment of tolerating cannabis use in Lambeth has captured headlines, the softly, softly approach is anathema to police forces across parts of the country. The result is a "postcode lottery", with different forces applying different approaches to the policing of the law.

One officer with the Dyfed Powys drug-prevention unit cited as an example an approach by a group of students at last week's Royal Welsh Show. DC Wyn Davies explained: "They wanted to know why if they smoked cannabis at their university in London the police would take no action, but if on their return home to Wales they did the same thing they would end up in a police cell. They didn't think that was right."

"My own view is that David Blunkett's softly softly approach is counter productive and confusing."

Under the Home Secretary's plans, cannabis is to be reclassified as a "Class C" drug, which will mean police can no longer automatically arrest someone found smoking it. Instead, they will have to issue written warnings and confiscate the drug.

The move is seen as paving the way for the decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis for personal use. Yet contrary to the impression given in the right-wing tabloid press, this policy is not yet being implemented in many forces in England and Wales.

"It is our duty to uphold the law," said a spokesman for the Cumbria police. "Possession of cannabis is an offence and we will act. We are aware that variations in policing this offence do exist in different areas and we have made it clear via the local media that our policy hasn't changed."

North Wales police also intend to continue arresting and prosecuting for possession. Chief Inspector Mark Owen, head of community safety, said: "There has been no change to the law and we will uphold the letter of the law in relation to cannabis."

The Association of Chief Police Officers has a working group trying to establish a set of national guidelines to bring conformity to the policing of cannabis in England and Wales.

Until then, as Chief Inspector Owen explained: "It is a muddle and a mess. I wouldn't envy someone trying to second guess what the attitude in any given force is going to be to this issue."