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Lib-Dem Brian Paddick today unveiled his plan for a “softly-softly” approach to cannabis across the whole of London.

The former Met Police commander unveiled a new poster which states: “Police are wasted on cannabis.”

The mayoral candidate launched the online campaign saying, if elected, he would tell police across the capital to stop arresting people for carrying small amounts of the Class B drug for personal use.

The poster, which features a picture of a cannabis leaf, states: “Prosecutions for cannabis possession are a waste of police time and your money. I will reform this and focus the police on more serious crimes.”

Mr Paddick ordered a similar approach to cannabis possession in Brixton when he was Lambeth borough commander in 2001.

But just a few years later police in Brixton were forced to adopt a zero tolerance approach to the drug after rising complaints of anti-social behaviour and drug dealers crowding the streets carrying small amounts that they claimed were for personal use.

Local councillor Florence Nosegbe, Lambeth special representative on youth violence, condemned Mr Paddick’s policy this year, saying it had turned Brixton into London’s drugs supermarket and fuelled gang warfare.

Mr Paddick told the Standard: “I will tell officers not to arrest people for carrying small amounts of cannabis for personal use if that is what local people want. I will get the police to focus on what Londoners think is important, not what the police think is important.”

Critics today hit out at his proposal. Former Met detective chief superintendent Kevin Hurley, an ex-borough commander, said: “This sounds like a bit of silly vote-catching. I don’t think it will make much of a difference to the safety of Londoners.”

Keith Vaz, the Chairman of the Home Affairs select committee, said: “We are currently conducting an inquiry into drugs which includes discussion into decriminalisation of drugs.

“The case has not yet been made in my view.”

Conservative MP Priti Patel said: “It is irresponsible for someone standing for elected office to call for something like this. Cannabis hurts people’s lives.”