The worst area for people being caught in possession of cannabis in Merseyside has been revealed.
Government statistics released by the Home Office, show that there were 4,989 crimes recorded by police in Merseyside where someone was in
possession of marijuana last year
The figure was up from 4,030 in 2017, and 3,659 in 2016 and is twice as high as cannabis -related crimes recorded in Manchester and Chester.
Bootle murder victim lived on street near to where he was found
The statistics revealed the areas in Merseyside where cannabis-related crimes were most often recorded by Police in 2018.
And out of Liverpool, Sefton , Wirral , Knowsley and St Helens it was the city itself which was recorded as the worst area.
Some 2,555 crimes of cannabis possession were recorded in Liverpool last year.
That was followed by Sefton with 1,133, Wirral with 530, and Knowsley with 426.
Suspected sex attacker found up tree being investigated over rapes of victims aged 11 to 71
St Helens was the lowest, with cannabis recorded as having been possessed 345 times.
Cannabis is classified as a Class B substance and possessing it can land you with up to five years behind bars - and up to 14 years for growing or supplying it.
Some 83% of those recorded with the drug by Merseyside Police in 2018 were punished - either with a warning, a penalty notice, a caution or a
criminal charge/court summons.
However despite the number of offences rising in recent years, the number of people caught with the drug is 57% lower than it was a decade ago.
Dog with 175 pairs of sunglasses has had her bicycle stolen
In 2008, there were 11,528 cannabis possession offences recorded in our area - despite the drug only being categorised as a Class C at the time.
Nationally, the number of cannabis possession offences increased from 80,195 in 2017 to 84,365 in 2018.
Over the same period, Merseyside Police has seen officer numbers fall by 23% and nationally by 13%.
Simon Kempton, Police Federation of England and Wales’ operational lead, said: “With the service facing unprecedented levels of demand
and swingeing cuts from the Government, chief officers are having to prioritise resources where the greatest threat, risk and harm is.
“Our members will always do their very best to keep our communities safe but are often frustrated they can’t provide the level of service they want to.
"It’s impossible to do everything we once could, or that the public expect us to do, until the Government starts to take policing seriously and starts to replace the almost 22,000 officers we have lost since 2010.
"There has been a shift away from prioritising people in possession of cannabis in some force areas.
"Instead, those resources are directed in other areas and those individuals are given help they need to move away from taking illicit drugs rather than putting them through the criminal justice system - but the answer to this issue lies beyond just the police service, with a holistic approach including education and health services."
A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman said that local police force priorities were a matter for chief constables, in liaison with their police and crime commissioners.
They said that cannabis feeds into a multi-million pound illicit market, is an “increasingly potent and harmful drug” and is a “key driver” in other serious crimes, including serious violence, human trafficking and modern slavery.
They added: “The law provides a range of options for dealing with those found in possession of cannabis that have to be proportionate to the individual circumstances – these include out of court disposals, cannabis warnings and prosecution.
“Police officers make use of all of these options using their professional judgement and experience.
“However, there is evidence to suggest that recommending minor offenders for early intervention treatment instead of pursuing convictions can prevent reoffending.
“We will contribute to Professor Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drugs, commissioned by the Home Office, which will consider these issues.”
