Drug Crime

Mangnall spoke about drug crime in the south-west, praising police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez's work. He mentioned a rise in antisocial behaviour and drug-related crimes despite an overall decrease in crime across Devon and Cornwall. He highlighted issues with the 101 reporting system and suggested using village halls as police hubs, implementing councillor advocate schemes for better engagement between local councillors and the police.

He questioned the hon. Member's views on drug crime, suggesting a comparison between illicit drugs and legal substances like alcohol. He also declared his interest as an NHS doctor and highlighted the fragmented nature of drug treatment services due to commissioning by local authorities rather than the NHS. He suggested looking into the decriminalisation of drug possession as seen in Portugal to improve access to drug services and reduce deaths, citing it as a potential model for the UK.

He congratulated the hon. Member on securing the debate and proposed a 'twin-track approach' where those involved in dealing drugs should be punished, while others need help to avoid getting drawn into drug gangs.

Ms Lynch highlighted the increasing audacity in drug dealing and supply, emphasizing the pressure on neighbourhood policing teams due to austerity measures. She mentioned that there were 23 instances of possession and eight cases of drugs trafficking in her constituency over two weeks, alongside four cannabis farms dismantled recently. She expressed concerns about fly-tipping related to cannabis grows and urged for better forensics opportunities to tackle this issue. Additionally, she discussed the link between drug use and violence among young people, advocating for continued funding for targeted initiatives like Operation Jemlock. Ms Lynch also raised issues with delays in forensic testing for drug driving cases, leading to collapsed prosecutions.

Mr Shannon highlighted the ongoing drug epidemic in Northern Ireland, noting that it affects his constituents daily. He mentioned a successful police operation and welcomed their commitment to tackling drugs but also expressed concern over the lack of trust in the Police Service of Northern Ireland among local communities due to fear of retaliation. Mr Shannon called for visible community policing to build relationships with residents and stressed the need for social workers, youth workers, and law enforcement to collaborate effectively.

Ms Lyn Brown highlighted the under-prioritised issue of child criminal exploitation (CCE), citing numerous cases in her constituency where children were murdered or seriously injured due to gang activities. She expressed disappointment with the current lack of focus and emphasised the need for a concerted programme of inspections using new guidance on CCE, as well as better data collection to inform strategies against county lines drug trade. Asked the Minister to refer to the child criminal exploitation definition and the Online Safety Bill.

Order. The sitting is suspended due to a Division. There will be 15 minutes for the first Division and 10 minutes for subsequent Divisions.

Mr Millar highlighted the issue of poverty, deprivation, and drug abuse in his constituency, Aberconwy. He praised the work of local police forces and community groups dealing with county lines gangs, emphasizing the importance of community involvement. He also discussed pathways to poverty and the role of social support for veterans and young people.

He referenced Hollywood movies where the heroes hunt down bad guys, suggesting a similar approach to drug crime, but questioned if those who self-medicate for PTSD should receive criminal records. Ronnie Cowan highlighted the drug issues in his constituency, Inverclyde, and criticised the current approach to tackling drugs. He argued that arresting criminals does not solve the problem as others quickly fill the void. He called for a different strategy from the Government, suggesting treatment over punishment and the adoption of overdose prevention centres (OPCs) and heroin-assisted treatment. Cowan cited evidence showing OPCs can reduce drug-related deaths and public harm. He also pointed out racial disparities in police stop and search and argued that criminalisation disproportionately affects ethnic minority communities. Asked the Minister if they would give way.

She highlighted the need for a twin-track approach to drug crime, combining tough measures against criminals driving the market with support for individuals trying to get out. She discussed child criminal exploitation and advocated for early intervention at moments of vulnerability like school exclusion. Sarah Jones also mentioned challenges related to county lines, drug-driving delays in forensics, and the need for neighbourhood policing teams. She emphasized the rise in drug crime and its effects on communities, citing increased drug deaths and exploitation by gangs using advanced technology.