Lib-Dem Brian Paddick today unveiled his plan for a “softly-softly” approach to cannabis across the whole of London. The former Met Police commander unveiled a new poster which states: “Police are wasted on cannabis.” The mayoral candidate launched the online campaign saying, if elected, he would tell police across the capital to stop arresting people for carrying small amounts of the Class B drug for personal use.
The poster, which features a picture of a cannabis leaf, states: “Prosecutions for cannabis possession are a waste of police time and your money. I will reform this and focus the police on more serious crimes.”
Mr Paddick ordered a similar approach to cannabis possession in Brixton when he was Lambeth borough commander in 2001. But just a few years later police in Brixton were forced to adopt a zero tolerance approach to the drug after rising complaints of anti-social behaviour and drug dealers crowding the streets carrying small amounts that they claimed were for personal use.
