Young people caught with cannabis look set to be spared arrest under a trial scheme in part of London.
Three of the capital’s 32 boroughs are in talks to roll out a targeted pilot for 18- to 24-year-olds who are found with a small quantity of the Class B drug.
Instead of being arrested - which would show up on future criminal records checks - they would be sent to courses like those for speeding drivers.
The trial in Lewisham, Bexley and Greenwich, all in south-east London, would be based on an earlier drug diversion scheme run by Thames Valley Police.
Chiefs there “deferred” arrests if people completed a six-week course - which 80% of young people referred to it did.
A Tory source claimed the scheme was being pushed by London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan and branded it “mad”.
A government source complained to the Telegraph: “Last year was the worst year for teenage killings in London, so decriminalising a major driver of youth violence probably isn't the answer.”
But City Hall officials insisted the scheme would not decriminalise cannabis - something which is not within the mayor’s power to do - and was in step with national attempts to tackle low-level drug crime.
They added the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime is already part of a similar scheme for female offenders, which supporters believe could cut reoffending and be cost-effective.
It’s understood the planned scheme is not yet signed off and final details - including when it would start and finish - have not yet been worked out.
Reports suggest it could be announced as soon as this month.
Labour leader Keir Starmer backed a Scottish scheme in September to let police use their discretion in some cases of individual possession of Class A drugs.
But he has opposed decriminalising the possession of cannabis. Ex-Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Keir said today: "I'm not in favour of changing the laws, or decriminalisation, and I'm very clear about that.
He added: "Some sort of pilots obviously we'll look at, but we’re very clear that we're not in favour of changing drug laws."
A spokesperson for London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “City Hall is working closely with community groups across London, providing them with the resources they need to tackle poverty, alienation and a lack of opportunity so that they can help bring about lasting change in their local area.
“A core focus of this work is investigating various ways in which young people can be diverted away from low-level drug use by being better informed about its harm, and MOPAC is actively involved in discussions around this scheme.
“We know that we’ll never be able to simply arrest our way out of the problem, which is why we continue to work on schemes that provide young people with support and education, rather than simply putting them through the criminal justice system – with the aim of diverting them away from drug use and crime for good.”
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman declined to comment on unconfirmed City Hall policies, but said “illegal drugs destroy lives and fuel violence” adding: “There’s no intention to decriminalise drugs in any way”.
The PM’s spokesman said: “Illegal drugs destroy lives and fuel violence. We have absolutely no intention of decriminalising dangerous and harmful substances for recreational use.
“Decriminalisation would leave organised criminals in control while risking an increase in drug use which drives violence which blights our streets.”
