CANNABIS OFFENDERS FACE 'THREE STRIKES' RULE

Repeat Warnings 'Exploit Loophole'

Many Think Drug Has Been Legalised

Cannabis users will be arrested and charged if they are found in
possession of the drug three times, under new guidelines. Police
forces are also being told to improve their intelligence systems so
that officers questioning suspects can radio their control rooms and
apply the "three strikes" rule if the user has already been warned twice.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) denied yesterday that
the change had been prompted by users escaping with repeated warnings
rather than prosecution, but there was a fear that it could become a loophole.

In the guidance, officers are told: "These guidelines do not
encourage the same offender being repeatedly warned for possession of
cannabis. Where it can be verified that an offender has received two
previous cannabis warnings then a further warning should not be considered."

A similar "three strikes" policy was originally proposed by Acpo in
September 2002. The proposal was scrapped before the system of
warning for suspects caught in possession of personal amounts of
cannabis was introduced.

Under the guidance sent out to all forces in the past few days,
children under the age of 18 caught smoking cannabis will no longer
be automatically arrested.

The guidelines say that officers should find "less intrusive" ways of
dealing with under-18s, such as escorting them home.

Martin Barnes, of DrugScope, the advice group, said: "We welcome the
new guidance, which strikes the right balance between personal
possession of small amounts of the drug and the offence of supply.