Secrecy row over cannabis warnings

Police criticised for ‘softly, softly’ approach

POLICE have handed out nearly 5,000 soft touch warnings to ‘minor’ criminals in only five months – but refuse to reveal how many were for cannabis possession.

Recorded Police Warnings (RPWs) were introduced in January amid a row over claims they effectively ‘legalise’ cannabis.

They are given out for supposedly lowerlevel crimes such as shoplifting but they can also be issued to people caught with the dangerous Class B substance.

Police Scotland has disclosed that more than 4,600 RPWs have been imposed since January 11, with about 480 of those given to 16 and 17-year-olds.

But the force declined to reveal the crimes involved and how many were related to cannabis – in case it encouraged people to break the law – sparking claims that police may have ‘something to hide’.

The Mail can also reveal that police are considering extending the range of offences for which RPWs can be issued.

Last night, Scottish Tory justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: ‘Police Scotland should reveal how many RPWs relate to cannabis possession.

‘Not doing so could lead to accusations that the police have something to hide.

‘We do not want a situation where cannabis is legalised through the back door.

‘It is a dangerous drug which can lead to mental health issues – the public deserve to know the facts.’

From January, it has been possible for those caught with cannabis to be let off with an on-the-spot warning from officers, which will not result in a court appearance.

The warnings stay on file for only two years, which means cannabis users avoid a full criminal record.

The Police Scotland figures, obtained under freedom of information legislation, show that 4,643 RPWs have been issued since January 11, with 481 given to 16 and 17-year-olds.

For those aged 18-25, 1,503 were handed out, while 1,984 were given to those aged between 26 and 49. Some 649 were issued to 50 to 74-year-olds – while 26 were handed to those aged over 75.

But Police Scotland said disclosing how many warnings were given for particular crimes ‘may encourage offenders to believe that should they go out and commit the crimes listed, then a warning is the maximum sanction that they would receive’.

Professor Neil McKeganey, director of the Centre for Substance Use Research, condemned Police Scotland’s ‘softly, softly’ approach to tackling drugs. He said: ‘If the police are now saying that they will not reveal how many of these warnings have been given for drugs possession, it is because they know how dangerous this policy is in effectively green-lighting minor drug use in Scotland.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘RPWs allow police officers to use their discretion when dealing with lower level offences and can provide a proportionate approach to dealing with such cases.’

‘Legalised through the back door’