News / Crime
If you’re caught with drugs in Bristol you may no longer be a criminal
Police in Bristol are among the first in the country to stop arresting people for possession of small amounts of drugs.
People caught with an amount deemed small enough for personal use are now being directed to a “diversion programme” to avoid a criminal record and possible court appearance.
Since the scheme was introduced in April this year 215 people have attended courses run by drug and alcohol charity Swanswell instead of being dealt with by the criminal justice system, according to research by Vice.
is needed now More than ever
Avon & Somerset police have been joined by Durham police in their new diversion policy, and there are rumours of Devon & Cornwall police running a trial too as other forces across the country look to roll out similar policies.
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Read more: Will it ever end? – An exclusive investigation into drug dealing and gangs in Bristol
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According to Max Daley, a journalist specialising in drug policy, the trial in Bristol marks the first time people caught with cocaine and heroin have avoided automatic criminalisation since the Defence of the Realm Act introduced in 1916.
Under the trial, which has now been extended until next April, drug users can attend a three-and-a-half hour drug education workshop run by a local drug service instead of face arrest.
The drug possession offence will then be dropped if the workshop is successfully completed, regardless of the user’s past criminal record. However, if they are caught with drugs again they will be dealt with down the normal route.
Paul Bunt, Avon and Somerset Police’s drug strategy manager, told Vice: “In schools, drug education is patchy – it’s not taken seriously. Being arrested for drug possession is a shock. When someone gets detained by a police officer it’s a scary experience for those who have not been arrested before.
“But I wanted a process where I could deal with low-level drug offences without getting people involved in the criminal justice system. As of yet we are not aware of anyone being arrested again after attending one of these workshops.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This government has no intention of decriminalising drugs. It is vital that the police and criminal justice system have a range of measures available to them to prevent drug use, [but] also have the tools to deal robustly with serious and repeat offenders who cause the most harm in our communities.”
Watch Bristol24/7’s documentary on drug dealing and gangs in St Paul’s and Easton:
Top photo by Darren Shepherd
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