Written question asked by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Cannabis: Crime

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that multiple cannabis warnings are not issued by the police to the same person.

Answer: [holding answer 3 November 2008]: The Home Secretary has accepted the Association of Chief Police Officers' proposal for an enforcement approach that allows for a process of escalation for simple possession in England and Wales. Effective recording is important. Subject to consultation and Parliamentary approval, the new approach will include Penalty Notices for Disorder for cannabis possession and these will be recorded on the Police National Computer. The new Pentip 24 hour national fixed penalty database due to be available from 2010 will be developed to include a facility to also record cannabis warnings. In the interim, it is the responsibility of individual forces to determine how they record cannabis warnings. ACPO will ensure that all forces are fully aware of the importance of more accurately recording cannabis warnings locally.

Secondary information