Thames Valley Police 'won't arrest drug users' in pilot
The three-month pilot will offer a "tailored diversion route" to address people's use of drugs instead of seeing them prosecuted
BBC News (UK)
Monday, December 17, 2018
Monday, December 17, 2018
People found with "small quantities of illegal drugs" will not be arrested and instead urged to engage with support services, as part of a police pilot. Thames Valley Police (TVP) hopes the approach will reduce deaths, prevent reoffending and lower service demands. Assistant Chief Constable Jason Hogg has denied the scheme is a soft approach, saying there is "nothing soft about trying to save lives". Figures showed drug deaths nationally increased by 29% in 2017. ACC Hogg said people would not be prompted to attend appointments, but if they failed to engage with addiction services "they could find themselves being prosecuted" if found in possession in the future.
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