Chief behind Lambeth experiment

Commander Paddick first courted controversy by pioneering a more relaxed approach to the enforcement of drug laws last July.

Users caught in possession of small amounts of cannabis would merely have it confiscated and be given verbal warnings, rather than being arrested and cautioned or charged.

Then, last November, he was in the news again after he told an all-party group of MPs that he was not interested in "weekend" drug users who take small amounts of cocaine and ecstasy. He also gave his personal support for legalising cannabis.

Oxford-educated Mr Paddick was publicly condemned by Met chiefs for appearing to contradict official policy because he drew a distinction between recreational users and addicts who commit crime.

However, the "softly softly" approach to cannabis use in Lambeth saved 2,500 police man hours in its first six months, effectively putting an extra two officers on the beat, while arrests for Class A drugs increased by 19 per cent.

During that period more than 400 escaped prosecution, with potential court costs of £4 million avoided.