§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug offenders have been successfully prosecuted in Leicestershire in each of the Last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mellor[pursuant to his reply, 11 April 1984, c. 216]: The numbers of persons sentenced for offences under drugs legislation or other offences where controlled drugs were also involved in the Leicestershire police force area in the years 1978 to 1982 were as follows. Information is not yet available for 1983.
Numbers 1978 235 1979 253 1980 249 1981 225 1982 *210 * Estimated. Precise information is not available. All chief officers are aware of our concern that a firm and co-ordinated approach is needed to overcome the increasing problem of drug abuse. They attach high priority to the problem and are responding with a number of initiatives to improve further their ability to investigate and prosecute offenders, particularly traffickers.