FOI 1166-2024/25 Drug Possession Arrests

Request
I am writing, under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 to request information regarding arrests made under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (possession of controlled substances). 

I would like to know:

Q1. The number of arrests for possession of Class-A substances, put in a spreadsheet, and divided by the years:

1. a) 2021
2. b) 2022
3. c) 2023
4. d) 2021

and by - if possible - the specific substance(s) of which the arrested person was in possession.

Q2. The number of arrests for possession of Class-B substances, put in a spreadsheet, and divided by the years:

1. a) 2021
2. b) 2022
3. c) 2023
4. d) 2021

and by - if possible - the specific substance(s) of which the arrested person was in possession.

Q3. The number of arrests for possession of Class-C substances, put in a spreadsheet, and divided by the years:

1. a) 2021
2. b) 2022
3. c) 2023
4. d) 2021

and by - if possible - the specific substance(s) of which the arrested person was in possession.

Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information
To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police.

I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police.  

Decision
I have today decided to disclose the following information to you.

Q1-3. Please see the tables below showing the number of arrests in the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2024 for possession offences (including possess, attempt to possess, possess with intent to supply and aid, abet, counsel, procure possession) of Class A, B or C drugs, broken down by calendar year.

Please note that where an individual has been arrested for multiple offences, for example, possession of Class A drugs and possession of Class B drugs, every offence will be counted.

Due to the number of results, it is not possible to determine what substance was recorded for each arrest in the time allowed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act).

I am not obliged to provide you with a response to your request pursuant to Section 12(1) of the Act. Please note that when one part of your request falls under Section 12, we are not obliged to review the rest of the questions and the whole request is therefore exempt.

Section 12(1) applies to your request as the cost of complying with your request is above the amount to which we are legally required to respond i.e. the cost of identifying and retrieving any relevant information exceeds the ‘appropriate level’ as stated in the Freedom of Information (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004.

I have however, decided to provide you with the located information as a gesture of goodwill.

Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data.  It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.