The Sunday Mirror probe reveals that in some areas one in 10 caught with the drug were charged in 2018
Liz McCulloch, director of policy at thinktank Volteface, said: “Enforcement is inconsistent and chaotic.”
Here’s the report……
And while two forces charged more than half, the average prosecution rate nationwide was 27.7 per cent.
Campaigners in favour of legalising cannabis AND those seeking greater punishments slammed the huge disparity.
Home Office figures show how police tackle the UK’s 2.2million cannabis users and an illegal trade worth £2.5billion annually.
Last year cops charged 18,767 people with possession of cannabis, which experts warn can trigger mental health issues.
Nottinghamshire and Cleveland forces had the most robust approach, each charging more than 51 per cent.
At the other end of the scale Surrey Police charged 13.4 per cent and Durham Police prosecuted 15.9 per cent.
The Metropolitan Police charged 6,148 and gave out-of-court sanctions to another 18,497 – a prosecution rate of almost 25 per cent.
Jane Slater, from Transform Drug Policy Foundation, believes rehab is a better solution to tackling cannabis.
She said: “A postcode lottery is unjust and leads to discrimination against the poor, vulnerable and minorities.
“Instead of giving people a criminal record for possessing drugs, diversion offers them education, help and treatment.
“This saves police resources and reduces re-offending.”
Nottinghamshire and Cleveland police forces had the highest charge rates for cannabis possession
Former undercover drugs cop Neil Woods, chairman of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) UK, said: “Pursuing people for possession has no benefit in policing terms.
“It also has no impact on supply and demand. All of the £2.5billion goes into the pockets of organised crime and invested into other criminal activity.
“If you want to stop that criminality you have to take the market away from organised crime. You only do that by regulating the product.”
Liz McCulloch, director of policy at thinktank Volteface, said: “Enforcement is inconsistent and chaotic.”
Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cannabis-users-face-postcode-lottery-13817246
