What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Durham Constabulary has announced they will no longer target people who grow cannabis plants for personal use - but how about the other police forces?

While Durham officers will still tackle large-scale cannabis farms, those who grow and use cannabis at home will not be actively pursued in an effort to “keep people out of the criminal justice system and reduce costs”.

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg outlined the plans this week and said he hopes the chance to avoid prosecution will stop the cycle of reoffending.

Mr Hogg said: "We are not prioritising people who have a small number of cannabis plants for their own use. In low level cases we say it is better to work with them and put them in a position where they can recover."

But in response Mike Penning, the policing minister, said: "Growing cannabis is illegal and those who do so can face significant jail sentences.

"The Government has no plans to legalise cannabis as there is clear scientific and medical evidence that it can damage people’s mental and physical health."

Cannabis is a Class B drug and anyone caught in possession could face up to five years in prison - and for the production and supply of cannabis it could be up to 14 years.

However, with Durham Police taking a more relaxed stance, what is your local force's attitude?

Bedfordshire

Detective Inspector Paul Baron said: “We treat each drug related incident reported to us on a case by case basis to ensure that the appropriate action is carried out.

"Possessing, producing and dealing drugs, regardless of class, are offences and are taken seriously by Bedfordshire Police.”

Cambridgeshire

“We are not doing that in Cambridgeshire.

"Simple possession of cannabis on the first occasion will warrant a cannabis warning if the person in possession is over 18, second possession is likely to be a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) issued, arrest and referred to a Magistrates' Court.



“Cannabis production will almost always be either a caution, subject to number of plants and previous convictions, or a charge."

Cheshire

Chief Inspector Paul Taylor, the head of Cheshire Police Force Intelligence Bureau says: “Cheshire Constabulary do not ‘turn a blind eye’ to any form of criminality, including Cannabis xultivation.

“Over the past 12 months Cheshire Constabulary has been running Operation Gigantic which specifically targets those individuals and groups who are producing and supplying cannabis in Cheshire."

"The Operation has been extremely successful and has resulted in millions of pounds worth of Cannabis being removed from the streets of Cheshire.

“We will continue to arrest and disrupt any individuals who are involved in the drug supply trade in Cheshire.”

City of London

"Here in the City of London we rarely deal with cannabis growing factories and if an offender is caught in possession with low level drugs such as cannabis, police officers will follow the normal procedures and use their police powers accordingly.

"We also echo the statement released by the NPCC."

Cleveland

“When people tell us about cannabis production, it’s largely due to it having an impact on their families and their neighbours in the street where they live.

"The criminality involved in the production of the drug is not limited to the drug itself, but in the other offences that are often committed through growth – including abstracting electricity. Recently we have seen cases where fires have been caused by the equipment used to grow the plants.

"Cleveland Police acts on intelligence appropriately about drug misuse in line with current legislation, using the expertise of the Community Drug Enforcement Team and neighbourhood officers.” said a Cleveland Police spokesperson.

Cumbria

In the first instance of simple possession of cannabis we would adopt the ACPO national guidelines relating to the need to arrest/prosecute. Subject to a number of factors this may lead to an official warning.

"We do prosecute persons not eligible for the official warning. We take formal action over the production and cultivation of cannabis."

Devon and Cornwall

No changes will be made to the policy in Devon and Cornwall.

Essex

"Growing and using cannabis, whether for personal use or organised supply, is illegal and Essex Police takes a proportionate approach to dealing with this."

"There are a range of options for dealing with those found in possession of cannabis or who cultivate the plant and the individual circumstances are taken into account when deciding which option is used."

"Cannabis warnings can be given to individuals who admit to being in possession of a small amount of cannabis consistent with personal use if they are 18 or over and meet certain criteria."

"Those under 18 may be eligible for a community resolution with a referral to a drugs programme to educate and deter future use. This is consistent with our policy of not unnecessarily criminalising young people and affecting their future."

"However, arrests will be made in cases where it is deemed appropriate. Where the amount of cannabis is not small and consistent with personal use, suspects will be arrested and further action taken accordingly."

Gwent

"From a Gwent point of view we have no plans to ‘turn a blind eye’ to cannabis related offences. Current legislation is quite clear on cultivation of cannabis plants (even one).

"As always based on the varying circumstances of each situation different disposal methods (arrest, Penalty notices for disorder, caution etc) are available to officers."

Greater Manchester

"No changes to policy."

Hampshire

Hampshire Police refer us to the NPCC guidelines.

Hertfordshire

“The issue of decriminalising any drug is a matter for Parliament.

“As police officers, our job is to enforce the law and under current legislation drugs are illegal, on the grounds that they have been shown to be harmful.

“Cannabis production not only feeds a multimillion-pound illicit market, but it is also an increasingly potent and dangerous drug and it is also a key driver in other serious crimes - such as violence, human trafficking and modern slavery.

“There are a range of options for dealing with those found in possession of cannabis or who cultivate the plant that are proportionate to the individual circumstances.

“We strongly encourage anyone who thinks illegal activity may be taking place in their area to call the police on 101 or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Kent

"Kent Police will continue to deal with offences that involve cannabis, and all other illegal substances. Any changes in the law would be a matter for the government."

Lancashire

"Lancashire police will be making no policy change."

Leicestershire

"Leicestershire police will be making no change to their policy."

Lincolnshire

Detective Superintendent Guy Collings of Lincolnshire Police said: “We will always seek to enforce the law against those who cultivate or distribute drugs.”

Merseyside

"No changes to policy."

Norfolk

"Norfolk Constabulary investigates each individual report and would seek prosecution if appropriate."

Nottinghamshire

Superintendent Adrian Pearson, Drugs and Alcohol lead for Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We have a number of positive approaches in dealing with people of all ages who we find in possession of controlled drugs.

“We have a range of diversion schemes that involve both alcohol and controlled drugs and we recognise the harm to crime and disorder that abuse of drugs can cause. Various options for cautioning an offender are available to officers.

“We are not prioritising stop search for simple possession of cannabis, however we are putting a great deal of work into reducing the availability of cocaine.

"We have just achieved our 150th arrest for possession of cocaine within Nottingham city centre as part of an on-going night-time operation.”

Police service of Northern Ireland

No plans to change anything.

South Yorkshire

"We will continue to investigate and prosecute as we have always done."

South Wales

"We are following the NPCC guidelines and have nothing additional to add."

Surrey

"Surrey Police has not changed its policy regarding drugs offences and will continue to take an intelligence-led approach to the issue and will always act on information and reports from the local community about suspicious activity and drug dealing.

"Surrey Police has a number of dedicated teams, including safer neighbourhood officers and proactive teams, tackling drugs issues across the county and these officers work closely with the local authorities and take action to address any concerns raised.

"This positive engagement and good links with Surrey residents has led to a reduction in the number of cannabis factories being set up in Surrey over recent years.

"Police will carry out proactive operations to tackle drugs but can only do so when members of the community come forward and tell officers about criminal activity.

"Surrey Police is committed to addressing the concerns of local residents and will take robust action to prevent illegal activity taking place."

Suffolk

No change to policy.

Thames Valley

“Thames Valley Police follows the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice which sets out a range of sanctions available to the police

to deal with offenders and secure an effective justice outcome. This is used as a proportionate response to the offence and takes into account such things as whether it a first offence for example for possession of cannabis.”

Warwickshire and West Mercia

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police have not changed policy on how we deal with cultivation of cannabis. It remains business as usual.

Wiltshire

“The NPCC have provided a comment in relation to this and we will not be commenting further.".

No response yet

We couldn't get hold of Avon and Somerset, Derbyshire, Humberside, Northampton, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Sussex, Police Scotland, North Wales or Dyfed-Powys.