HC Deb 10 December 1980 vol 995 cc383-4W
Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Lancashire on how many people were searched by the police in exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act during the pop festival near Darwen, Lancashire, between 24 and 30 July 1980; how many people were convicted of offences as a result of these searches; and how much the police operation at this event cost.

Mr. Brittan

The Lancashire constabulary have informed us that during the Darwen festival eight people were stopped and searched by the police in exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and that one of those searched has subsequently been convicted of an offence. The total cost of policing the festival was of the order of £53,000.

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Wiltshire on how many people were searched by the police in exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act during the pop festival at Stonehenge, Wiltshire, between 13 and 25 June 1980; how many people were convicted of offences as a result of these searches; and how much the police operation at this event cost.

Mr. Brittan

The Wiltshire constabulary have informed us that during the Stonehenge festival 376 people were stopped and searched by the police in exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and that 41 of those searched have subsequently been convicted of offences. The total cost of policing the festival and providing police to protect the Stonehenge monuments was of the order of £82,000.

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Dyfed on how many people were searched by the police in the exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act during the pop festival near Pontrhydygroes, Dyfed, between 12 and 22 September 1980; how many people were convicted of offences as a result of these searches; and how much the police operation at this event cost.

Mr. Brittan

I understand from the chief constable of Dyfed-Powys that during the event near Pontrhydygroes 696 people were stopped and searched by the police in exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and that 44 of those searched have subsequently been convicted of offences. The total cost of policing the event was of the order of £7,000.

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of West Mercia on how many people were searched by the police in exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act during the pop festival at Cantlin Stone, Shropshire, between 4 and 14 July 1980; how many were convicted of offences as a result of these searches; and how much the police operation at this event cost.

Mr. Brittan

The West Mercia constabulary has informed us that during the Cantlin Stone festival 330 people were stopped and searched by the police in exercise of their powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and that 12 of those searched have subsequently been convicted of offences. The total cost of policing the festival was of the order of £9,000.