§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been cautioned for 469W possession of cannabis (a) once, (b) twice and (c) three or more times, by police force region, in each year since 1986. [29249]
§ Mr. George HowarthThis information is not available since data are not routinely collected on whether a particular caution is the first or a subsequent one given by the police to an individual. However, special exercises were carried out for the 1991 and 1994 Criminal Statistics using information from the Home Office Offenders Index. These indicate that in 1994, of those cautioned, 15 per cent. had a previous caution, compared with 20 per cent. in 1991. The later sample was drawn after Home Office circular 18/1994 had been issued. This circular specifically discouraged repeat cautioning and cautioning for the most serious offences.