Nottinghamshire Police has pledged to continue cracking down on the county's cannabis operations as figures show that possession of the drug has fallen below pre-pandemic levels. Latest Home Office figures show that possession of cannabis has fallen by 10% in Nottinghamshire in the year ending March 2022.
There were 2,149 crimes recorded in that year, compared to 2,387 offences being recorded in the year ending March 2021. Possession soared during the coronavirus lockdowns, but the latest figure is now below the figure for the year ending March 2020 of 2,351.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said: "Nottinghamshire Police has 12 dedicated Operation Reacher teams which disrupt and dismantle drug dealing operations across the county. We have managed to take out some major cannabis operations and in turn made life much better for the communities we serve.
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"Cannabis grows are by no means a victimless crime and brings anti-social behaviour and crime to residents’ streets. It also exploits vulnerable people."
Nottinghamshire Police recently confirmed that it had seized around 450 cannabis plants following a raid above a shop in Newark. Officers found the grow after being called to reports that the shop's window had been smashed on Monday (October 24).
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin added: "We will always pursue those who wish to make money through organised crime like cannabis grows. When we carry out stop and searches in the city and county we do come across people in possession of cannabis and we act accordingly."
It comes after Suella Braverman, recently re-appointed as the Home Secretary, said last month that she would consider making cannabis a Class A drug. Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said that such a move would be a matter for Parliament to consider.
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