TORY WARNING OVER CANNABIS REFORM

Drug gangs have flourished in Brixton since the police began an experiment
under which cannabis was effectively decriminalised, Oliver Letwin, the
shadow home secretary, said yesterday.

The remarks by Mr Letwin, who is seen as one of the leading social liberals
in the shadow cabinet, suggests that David Blunkett will meet strong
Conservative opposition if he carries on with his proposal to soften the
law on cannabis.

Mr Blunkett is expected to announce this month that he intends to
reclassify cannabis so that possession of the drug for personal use ceases
to be a criminal offence.

In a pilot project in Lambeth, south London - which includes Brixton -
people caught with cannabis for personal use are let off with a caution and
confiscation of the drug, so that police can concentrate on more dangerous
drugs.

Scotland Yard's Deputy Commissioner, Ian Blair, hailed the scheme a success
just days ago, but Mr Letwin claimed that the experiment had created "an
appalling example" of power accruing to drug gangs.

He added: "There seems to be every evidence of these gangs and dealers
dragging people on from cannabis to other drugs."