UK - Home Office drug seizure figures were 'highly selective'

The Home Office has been "highly selective" in its use of drugs seizure figures, possibly to "show the Border Agency in a good light", the chair of the UK Statistics Authority has said. Sir Michael Scholar has written to Home Office Minister Damian Green to seek reassurances that figures, published last Monday, were not released to "generate positive news coverage". He said if this was the case it would be "highly corrosive and damaging". It comes amid attacks on border policy.

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Sir Michael said the release of the drug seizure figures in question came ahead of National Statistics data showing a drop in the volume of drug seizures.

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"This contrasts with the 4 November press release, which highlights a large increase in seizures, albeit for a different time period. "The 4 November press release, which appears not to have been published on either the Home Office or the UK Border Agency websites, and seems to have been distributed only to a select group of journalists, makes no reference to the forthcoming Statistical Bulletin.

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"These seizures show our investigators are keeping pace with the ever-changing methods of criminal gangs to keep the border secure."

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