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Durham Police chief Mike Barton has been tasked with overseeing how officers tackle drugs nationwide.

Mr Barton, who has been previously outspoken about his belief that some class A and B drugs should be legalised, has taken up a role at the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The move provoked fury from critics who warned legalising drugs would simply create a new set of challenges, according to the MailOnline.

Mr Barton - who has campaigned to introduce ‘consumption rooms’ where addicts can inject drugs safely - was elected to lead ‘crime operations’ by his peers, replacing Merseyside chief Sir Jon Murphy.

The NPCC was formed last April and replaces the discredited Association of Chief Police Officers. The organisation aims to help police cut crime and keep the public safe from the most serious threats.

Sara Thornton, chair of the organisation, said Mr Barton beat two others to the role.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Decriminalising drugs would not eliminate the crime committed by their illicit trade, nor would it address the harms and destruction associated with drug dependence.”

Last year, Policing Minister Mike Penning told the House of Commons that Mr Barton was wrong to try and legalise class A drugs.

But Mr Barton stood firm on his views, saying: “I respect all views on drugs, but I was disappointed there were so few MPs in the Commons when this important issue was debated for the first time in decades.

“As to whether the current policy is working, well I’m not sure.

“We are passionate about making the UK safe and we will continue to target dealers, locking them up and securing lengthy prison terms; but we only strangle the supply of drugs for a matter of hours after months of undercover work.”