Cuts in drug enforcement a ‘time bomb in society’

The amount of time and money English police forces spend fighting the war on drugs is expected to decrease in the 2011/12 financial year, with drug enforcement under “growing strain”, figures published on Tuesday (October 11) reveal.

Officers are concerned this could lead to increasing problems in the illicit drug market, with one describing the dilemma as “a time bomb in society”, according to research conducted by the UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC).

The findings of the joint survey with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) were unveiled by UKDPC Chief Executive Roger Howard at ACPO’s annual drugs conference in Ryton-on-Dunsmore.

The UKDPC warned innovative approaches that have brought positive results, such as engaging with local drug dealers, could be lost if the new police and crime commissioners (PCCs) focus too heavily on short-term, simplistic solutions to garner voter support.

However, Mr Howard said it was “very hard to predict” the overall impact of PCCs at this stage.

It was also suggested partnership working may decrease as funding for other agencies is cut, meaning forces must fill the gaps appearing as a result, although it is not clear if they can.

Mr Howard warned the cuts across all agencies, combined with the danger of focusing on short-term goals, could lead to a “vicious circle”.

“It’s never been possible to police everything and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise,” he said. “But what seems to be happening in response to the Government’s reduction in police resources is that cutting down on policing drug markets offers a path of least resistance.

“Officers are telling us that they’re worried about the long-term consequences. They’re saying that if you take your foot off the pedal on enforcement over drugs supply, you risk storing up much greater problems for the future.”

The Home Office said frontline services would be protected, but the findings suggest key services such as forensic testing, undercover operations and covert surveillance could be affected.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is up to chief constables how they deploy their resources and PCCs will make forces truly accountable to the communities they serve, ensuring that resources are properly targeted to where they are needed.”

However, Labour said the report showed the fight against illicit drugs is now another area being negatively affected by government cuts.

Shadow Policing Minister David Hanson said: “This will be counter-productive given the damage the illicit drug trade does to communities and the increase in other crimes that results.”