SHOCK ESCALATION OF DRUG-RELATED CRIME

By Paul Fielding SHOCKING new figures have revealed drug crime are
soaring in Lancashire. The figures, obtained by The Gazette from the
county's police force and released as part of the quarterly Home
Office crime figures, saw the number of drug-related crimes rise from
721 in July to September 2006 to 1,089 over the same period last year.

Every three months, the Home Office releases a report containing the
number of different reported crimes across the country.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "The rise in the number of drug
offences is a reflection of the positive action the constabulary is
taking in this area.

"We work closely with the community to try to identify suspected drug
dealers and we will continue to act against those whose criminal
activity blights our neighbourhoods. This includes acting on
intelligence we receive to carry out warrants on those we suspect of
being involved in the supply of drugs."

The 51 per cent increase far outweighs the national rise of 21 per
cent.

In Blackpool alone, reported drug crimes rose by a third while in
Fylde, they went up by 44 per cent.

The Home Office said the rise in drug-related crime "coincided with
increases in the police use of powers to issue cannabis warnings".

Gordon Brown has ordered a review of the decision to downgrade
cannabis in 2004, which made possession of the drug largely
non-arrestable.

Gun crime is also on the up in the county, rising by one per cent
compared to four per cent nationally.

Blackpool's coroner Anne Hind criticised the Government's drugs policy
last week after a spate of substance-related deaths in Blackpool.

Mrs Hind said downgrading of cannabis to a category C drug by the
government in 2004 had sent out the wrong message.

She said: "There seems to have been a very casual attitude towards
cannabis, particular ly the Government saying it doesn't lead to
stronger, more powerful drugs.

Stronger

"The evidence that coroners across the country see is to the
opposite."

Commenting on the figures in the house of commons, shadow home
secretary David Davis said: "These latest official figures show that
Labour is failing to combat both violent crime and its causes.

"Violent crime is fuelled by drugs and Labour's chaotic and confused
policy on drugs."

The Government is now considering making cannabis a category B drug,
meaning possession will carry a maximum five-year jail sentence and
unlimited fine.

Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble said: "One message that
is not getting out is the cannabis that is being smoked today is much
stronger than it was 20 years ago.

"Many young people think they can smoke cannabis not realising that it
can lead to harder drugs."