A Scotland Yard study of new drugs laws has shown that black people are more likely to face criminal charges if found carrying cannabis than white people committing the same offence.
The report also concludes that black people are more likely to be caught in possession, at least in part because they are more likely to be stopped and searched than white people.
Further research is planned to discover why disproportionate numbers of black people are being arrested and charged for cannabis offences but until then Scotland Yard says no remedial action will be taken.
The Met refused to be drawn on whether racism may play a part, sparking criticism from George Rhoden, chair of Scotland Yards Black Police Association, among others.
The findings emerge from an analysis of the enforcement of drugs laws since January 2004, when cannabis was downgraded from a Class B to Class C controlled drug. No nationwide figures are yet available as the study only covers the Metropolitan police area.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Posted: 18th September 2006
