Cannabis statistics

The request was refused by Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Dear Avon and Somerset Constabulary,

Please could you provide me with details on.

1) The number of raids on properties for suspected cannabis production over the past 3 years (year on year)?

2) The number of arrests this subsequently produced? (year on year for the past 3 years)

3) The number of arrests made for people under the influence of Cannabis? (year on year for the past 3 years)

Yours faithfully,

Pete Simson

#Freedom of Information Requests, Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Corporate Information Management Department

Force Headquarters, PO Box 37, Valley Road,

Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8QJ

Facsimile 01275 814667

   

Private

Mr Pete Simson

[FOI #113307 email]      Our Reference   286/12 
        Your reference         
        Date     12th April 2012

       
  

Dear Mr Simson

Thank you for your request which I have copied below. In order for us to
provide you with the information you require some clarification is
necessary.

1) The number of raids on properties for suspected cannabis production
over the past 3 years (year on year)?
    
2) The number of arrests this subsequently produced? (year on year for the
past 3 years)
    
3) The number of arrests made for people under the influence of Cannabis?
(year on year for the past 3 years)

Please can you clarify what particular information you are seeking in
relation to question 3.  There is no arrest offence using the term you
have provided therefore, would you like information relating to the number
of arrests for possession of cannabis, or are you seeking some other
information?

I will be unable to start to process your request until I have received
your clarification.
Thank you,

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Officer

Freedom of Information Officer
Corporate Information Management Department

 

show quoted sections

Dear #Freedom of Information Requests,

With regards to my 3rd question. Please change to "the number of arrests made for posession of cannabis?" (year on year for the past 3 years)

Yours sincerely,

Pete Simson

#Freedom of Information Requests, Avon and Somerset Constabulary

1 Attachment

Corporate Information Management Department

Force Headquarters, PO Box 37, Valley Road,

Portishead, Bristol, BS20 8QJ

Facsimile 01275 814667

Private
Mr Pete Simson
[FOI #113307 email]
        Our Reference   286/12 
        Your reference         
        Date    26 April 2012
       

Dear Mr Simson

I write in connection with your request for information dated 12^th April
concerning (Subject)

You specifically asked: “1) The number of raids on properties for
suspected cannabis production over the past 3 years (year on year)?

2) The number of arrests this subsequently produced? (year on year for the
past 3 years)

3) The number of arrests made for possession of cannabis?" (year on year
for the past 3 years)”

Your request for information has now been considered and I am not obliged
to supply the information you have requested.

Information relating to question one is not centrally recorded and to
retrieve this information would involve each district having to review
files, both electronic and paper based, to try and identify how many raids
have been carried out for ‘suspected cannabis production.’ This is an
extremely vast task which would take over 18 hours of work. As we are
unable to state the number of raids for suspected cannabis production over
the past 3 years, we are therefore unable to ascertain how many arrests
this subsequently produced. As such under Section 12 of the Act this
information is exempt from disclosure as the cost of providing you with
the information is above the amount to which we are legally required to
respond i.e. the cost of locating and retrieving the information exceeds
the “appropriate level” as stated in the Freedom of Information (Fees and
Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004. It is estimated that it would cost at
least £450 to comply with your request.

In accordance with the Act, this represents a Refusal Notice for your
request.

You may wish to refine your request so that it reduces the costs outlined
above. This can be done by omitting questions one and two. Although we
will not be able to tell you how many raids there have been on properties,
we should be able to advise you of the number of seizures of cannabis
plants there have been over the past 3 years. Additionally, we may be able
to state how many arrests have been made for the production of cannabis,
and also how many arrests have been made for the possession of cannabis.
Please resubmit a refined request should this be of interest to you. 

Yours sincerely,

R Pritchard

Freedom of Information Officer
Corporate Information Management Department

Please note;

 1. Requests and responses may be published on Avon and Somerset
Constabulary’s website (within 24 hours), some of which may
contain a link to additional information, which may provide
you with further clarification.
 2. Whilst we may verbally discuss your request with you in order
to seek clarification, all other communication should be made
in writing.
 3. Avon and Somerset Constabulary provides you with the right to
request a re-examination of your case under its review
procedure (copy attached).

<<A&S Appeals Procedure.doc>>

 

show quoted sections