§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug dealers were convicted in Avon and Somerset in(a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [136324]
§ Caroline FlintThe table contains data from the Home Office Court Appearances and Cautions Drugs Database showing the number of drug dealers in the Avon and Somerset Police force area brought to justice in the years 1996 to 2000 (the latest year available). The term 'brought to justice' has been taken to mean cautioned or found guilty of 'dealing' in drugs. "Dealing" has been taken mean drug trafficking, that is: to include possession with intent to supply, unlawful supply, unlawful production and unlawful import/export.
Drug dealers brought to justice in Avon and Somerset police force area, 1996 to 2000 Number of dealers 1996 340 1997 360 1998 350 1999 330 2000 310 These data are taken from the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, UK 2000", which is available on the RDS website and in the Library http://www.homeoffice. gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb402.pdf.