New softly softly call on drugs

Liberal Democrats in Southwark will urge police to take a softer line on people caught in possession of class A drugs, it emerged today.

Under new plans drawn up by the borough's Lib-Dem council, recreational drug users would only receive a police caution if they were caught in possession of cocaine, heroin or ecstasy.

Council officials and the local MP, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes, are seeking talks with police chiefs in Southwark in an effort to launch a pilot scheme from next year.

If the plans go ahead, the new policy will effectively decriminalise hard drugs for personal use in Southwark. Mr Hughes said: "I hope Southwark will lead the way in trying to persuade the police to take a tough line on dealers and people with weapons and step back from chasing drug users."

The proposals are in line with recent recommendations from the Police Federation and the parliamentary home affairs select committee, but have been dismissed as "barmy" by the Home Office.