Drug dealers capitalise on relaxed rules

The controversial Lambeth cannabis experiment has suffered a setback, with new figures showing the scheme has led to a flood of people into the area to deal in drugs.

Official statistics released by Scotland Yard show a 13 per cent rise in the number of dealers and drug users moving into the borough during the first six months of the pilot last year.

Scotland Yard said the results showed there was a "downside" to the project that allows people caught in possession of cannabis merely to be cautioned and have their drugs confiscated rather than be prosecuted.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mike Fuller, the new head of Scotland Yard's Drugs Directorate, said there was no question the scheme would be abandoned but a number of issues needed to be resolved before it was expanded across London.

The figures show that between 1 July and 31 December 2000 there were 118 allegations of drug supply in Lambeth investigated by police. These included 45 per cent by people from Lambeth and 55 per cent who were visitors from outside the borough.

The figures for the same period last year - during the pilot scheme - show there were 143 allegations of drug supply. Significantly, these show the number of visitors to Lambeth increased to 62 per cent.

Until now, the pilot scheme has been considered a success in saving police time. A study showed the policy saved 1,350 hours of officer time - the equivalent of nearly two extra officers - and a further 1,150 hours of civil staff time in preparing cases.

Police in Lambeth also recorded 35 per cent more cannabis possession offences and 11 per cent more trafficking-offences in the six months of the scheme compared to the same period the previous year. In adjoining boroughs, possession offences fell by four per cent and trafficking by 34 per cent. Critics of the scheme argue this also shows more people were visiting Lambeth to take and deal in drugs.

Brixton residents have strongly backed the scheme introduced last June by Lambeth's Commander Brian Paddick, who has since been temporarily moved from his post pending an inquiry into claims he smoked cannabis and allowed the drug to be used in his home.

Mr Fuller said: "The new work has borne out the anecdotal evidence that there were more dealers and other drug users coming into the area as a result of the pilot.

"We know that some of that was out of ignorance about the policy, with people mistakenly believing that drugs had been legalised in Lambeth.

"This shows there are downsides to the scheme but it does not put the scheme in doubt. It has saved time and it has freed up officers to carry out other work. What is hard to show is if that extra time has been spent on tackling class A drugs, which is the aim of the pilot."

Mr Fuller added: "Our main concern is about sending out mixed messages to young people about drugs. Even if cannabis is reclassified it will remain a criminal offence."

Police are now waiting for a decision from the Home Secretary on plans to reclassify cannabis from a class B to a class C drug.

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