War of words on the streets over Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley drug trail where young people would not be arrested for cannabis possession

By Kiro Evans, local democracy reporter

Londoners have given their reaction to Sadiq Khan’s ‘guinea pig’ plans to stop locking up people caught with weed.

Reports say the London Mayor could introduce a trial scheme in three boroughs – Greenwich, Bexley and Lewisham – that would no longer see young people arrested for cannabis possession.

Instead, 18- to 24-year-olds would be offered speeding course-style classes or counselling instead of prosecution.

The plan has been met with a mixed reaction in the South East London boroughs that could be involved in the scheme later this year.

People at the University of Greenwich spoke about how they felt about the idea.

Nineteen-year-old students Sam and Jasper, who did not want to give a second name, said they thought the idea made sense.

Classical music undergraduate Sam said: “It’s a good way forward. And I guess the end game would be to have most class B drugs completely legalised and that would take out all the criminalisation in drugs there is. You take away the crime side of it, and there can’t be crime.”

Asked about fears this would lead to more young people taking drugs, he added: “Everyone I know who does it did it before and will continue to do it afterwards. This is not going to change that but it will make it safer.”

Jasper, a jazz music student, said: “I think the fact that it’s illegal creates a lot of problems that are targeted towards lower-income areas. And I think if it’s keeping people out of jail or [stopping them being] arrested then that’s good for the city.”

Jonny Wright, a 37-year-old photographer who was walking through the campus, also saw sense in the proposal.

He said: “I think it’s great. I’ve always been an advocate for decriminalising drugs. Once you decriminalise, you can regulate. Once you can regulate, you can stop dealers. Once you stop dealers, you stop crime. It’s as simple as that, in my eyes.

“Rather than people having to deal with bad habits, [we should] treat them as humans and give them a helping hand rather than a stigma that they are a criminal.”

Shay, 20, from Indiana in the USA, did not give a second name but was opposed to the scheme.

The politics student said: “I’m personally a bit right-leaning so I don’t think so. I feel like it’s morally wrong as it’s not good for the youth. I think it demoralises the youth population, and I think cannabis or hard drugs should be restricted.”

The reaction was far more harsh among London politicians.

Conservative London Assembly Member Peter Fortune, Bexley Council Leader Teresa O’Neill OBE and Bexley MPs Louie French and Sir David Evennett condemned the scheme.

They said in a joint statement: “We are appalled to learn today through the media that the Labour Mayor of London plans to impose on Bexley a policy of decriminalising drugs, without any discussion with the Council Leader, Assembly Member, Members of Parliament, or indeed any resident.

“We now stand together in saying that we do not support any weakening of drugs laws and we do not want our borough to be a guinea pig for this policy – and nor do Bexley residents.”

Greenwich’s Conservative Opposition Leader Nigel Fletcher said: “People in Greenwich want more police on the beat and proper action to tackle anti-social behaviour. That’s why local Conservatives have been campaigning for a return of a permanent police presence in the south of the borough.

“Instead, residents are being insulted with this half-baked idea from their Labour Mayor which won’t solve the problem of criminal gangs dealing drugs, and risks sending a dangerous message to young people about the risks of substance abuse.”