Cannabis Possession Arrests of Young People In Leeds Down 18%
Only 45 youths were arrested for cannabis possession offences in 2018/19.
The number of arrests of young people for cannabis possession in 2018/19 in Leeds is 18% less than 2014/15.
While 55 under-18s were arrested for possession in 2014/15, only 45 were made for the same offence in 2018/19.
There were 57 arrests in 2015/16, 55 in 2016/17, and 53 in 2017/2018.
Arrests of under-18s for supply offences stayed somewhat consistent over the five year timeframe. There was one arrest in both 2014/15 and 2016/17, and two arrests in both 2015/16 and 2017/2018. There were no arrests in 2018/19.
Arrests for possession with intent to supply (PWITS) dropped significantly between 2014/15, when it stood at 15 per year, to 2016/17, when just 10 arrests were made. Since then the figure rose once again, with 18 arrests in both 2017/18 and 2018/19.
In the 18-24 age category, arrests for supply dropped drastically, from 25 in 2014/15 to 7 in 2018/19. PWITS arrests also dropped, from 102 in 2014/15, to 87 in 2018/19. Possession charges stood at 191 in 2014/15 and 192 in 2018/19.
Sharing the findings to the media literacy charity The Student View, West Yorkshire Police note that “Figures represent the number of arrests made, not individuals, during the period where, the detainee was arrested for one or more offences relating to supply of cannabis, possession of cannabis or possession with intent to supply cannabis.” In addition “one detainee can be arrested for multiple offences and may therefore appear in one or more categories”, and “the detainee was arrested in Leeds district.”
West Yorkshire Police declined to comment any further on these findings.