London, United Kingdom: The number of robberies and muggings in southern London have fallen nearly 50 percent since police in the borough began verbally cautioning minor marijuana offenders instead of arresting them. Law enforcement officials implemented the cannabis “warning” policy last fall in order to free up police resources to focus on more serious crimes.
Lambeth police reported 468 robberies and muggings in April, compared with 916 last October, the BBC reported Wednesday. In addition, the BBC reported that robberies are down in the Lambeth borough by 18 percent so far this year – the highest percentage street crime reduction in United Kingdom.
In recent months, British regulators, police, and politicians have come out in favor of reclassifying marijuana so that its possession is no longer an arrestable offense. That policy change is expected to take place in July.
For more information, please contact either Keith Stroup or Paul Armentano of NORML at (202) 483-5500.