Met Commissioner ‘very enthusiastic’ about diversion scheme for low-level drug offences

By Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter

The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said he is “very enthusiastic” about the prospect of diversion schemes for low-level drug offences in London.

Speaking at a meeting of the London Assembly police and crime committee on Wednesday, Sir Mark Rowley said he was “keen” to make the most of new legislation – expected next year – that will set out a framework for out of court disposals.

Out of court disposals allow police to deal quickly and proportionately with low-level offending without the need for prosecution in court, and have been found to lower levels of reoffending.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Commissioner said the Met has been “less ambitious in out of court disposals than many other places”.

Police forces such as Thames Valley and West Midlands have already run pilot schemes, whereby anyone found in possession of small quantities of illegal drugs are offered advice and support about their drug use rather than facing criminal prosecution.

Sir Mark said: “This is about evidence, and the evidence is that on certain types of crime, where you’ve got the right conditions in terms of the nature of the victim and the offender, that diversion generates higher victim satisfaction and lower recidivism. If you’ve got both of those things, why wouldn’t you do it?

“In terms of out of court disposals, not only does the evidence base show generally higher victim satisfaction and lower recidivism, but the benefits with non-white offenders were even higher.

“It’s a good thing to do anyway, and in a diverse, complex society it’s an even better thing to do, so I am very enthusiastic about it.”

The Commissioner added that introducing out of court disposals could help ease the pressure on the criminal justice system which is facing “growing backlogs”.

Pictured top: Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, middle, out on patrol in Croydon (Picture: Metropolitan Police)