'Three spliffs and you're out'

Cannabis users face a "three strikes and you're out" rule before running the risk of arrest for possession of the drug under proposals announced today.

Those caught with cannabis will be given "on the street" warnings by police instead of being arrested and taken to a station. The new national guidelines are to be introduced by police forces early next year in advance of expected legislation relaxing the rules on cannabis.

However, police will keep the power of arrest in certain circumstances, including public disorder on the street or where people are openly flouting the law, such as smoking a joint and blowing the smoke into the face of an officer. Anyone under the age of 18 will also face automatic arrest for possession of cannabis.

The new guidelines were unveiled today by a senior Scotland Yard officer in charge of national police policy on drugs. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman, chairman of the drugs committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers [ACPO], said the warning system would apply to those caught in possession of small amounts of cannabis.

A proposed new clause will allow officers to make arrests if someone in possession refuses to surrender the drug if they are asked to by police.

Mr Hayman, speaking at an ACPO drugs conference in Blackpool today, said: "There is a pressing need to offer new guidelines to police officers on how to deal with cannabis while at the same time giving greater clarity to the community on how they can expect to be policed following the Home Secretary's announcement. These new guidelines are being issued in readiness of the government proposals."

The national guidelines follow the controversial Lambeth scheme last year in which those caught in possession of small amounts of cannabis were cautioned by officers and the drugs confiscated.

The pilot project was scrapped this year and a tougher policy brought in which allows police to make arrests for possession.

Home Secretary David Blunkett plans to reclassify cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug, meaning users will no longer face automatic arrest for possession. The plan could become law by next summer. Senior officers are worried that persistent cannabis users could escape scot-free.

They want to see police having the power to make arrests if people get three or four formal street warnings for possession.