Strictly embargoed, not
for publication or broadcast until 00.01 Thursday 31 March 2011 -
Greater flexibility for drug testing in police stations
Police forces will
now have greater freedom and flexibility to drug test people on
arrest, Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire announced today.
Until now, police forces have had to apply for authorisation from
the Home Office to 'test on arrest' at specific
police stations. Once this authorisation was granted the station
would test at least 95 per cent of those arrested for certain
'trigger offences' such as burglary.
From today Chief Constables will just need to inform the Home
Office that they are using this power. Dropping this target, and
simplifying the process, will remove a considerable bureaucratic
burden from forces and local partners.
Identifying drug-using offenders can significantly cut
drug-related crime as it helps police and other agencies get
offenders, whose crimes are driven by their drug dependence, into
treatment to support their recovery.
Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire said:
"We are determined to free the police from needless
bureaucracy and pointless national targets. By scrapping the
requirement for police to apply for authorisation to test on
arrest, we are giving officers the flexibility to test where it is
appropriate.
"Drug testing on arrest is a vital part of the work
police and local partners do to reduce drug related crime locally.
We must give those who know what works in their neighbourhood the
power to develop plans which meet local needs."
All 43 police forces in England and Wales have the power to
drug test people who have been arrested if officers have
reasonable grounds for suspecting they have used specified Class A
drugs (heroin or cocaine).
If the person tests positive for a Class A drug they are legally
required to attend an assessment with a trained drug worker who
will make a series of recommendations to support their recovery
These recommendations, which could include attending treatment,
can be taken into account by the courts when setting bail
conditions or sentencing.
At present drug testing is operational in 23 police force areas
and some 160 custody suites, with around 230,000 tests conducted
every year for specified Class A substances - heroin, cocaine and
crack cocaine.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The new provisions do not mean forces have to introduce drug
testing. However, if in discussion with local partners, police
forces would like to introduce drug testing for certain offences
they will now to be able to so. The drug testing must be
authorised by a police officer of at least inspector rank and the
Home Office must be informed by the Chief Constable that the
police force is using the provision. To view the operational
process guidance visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk;
2. Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire today wrote to
all Chief Constables and Chairs of Drug and Alcohol Action Teams
(DAATs) to inform them of the change.
3. The provision only applies to people aged 18 or over and is
available from today for all police force areas across England and Wales.
4. For more information please contact Home Office Press Office.
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk