Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 62
62
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 220
Mandate police forces to record diversion scheme use for national overview and best practice.
Recommendation
We recommend that police forces record the use of diversion schemes in their force areas to develop a national picture and an understanding of best practice. The Home Office must regularly update the guidance to incorporate this evidence base.
Government Response Summary
The government aims to establish a more detailed national picture of Out of Court Disposals by examining their provision in all 43 police forces as part of an expansion pilot for drug possession offences. This work will provide an evidence base for future policy approaches regarding diversion schemes.
Paragraph Reference:
220
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Most police forces in England and Wales already have a range of options at their disposal, for instance via Out of Court Disposal (OOCD) pathways. These routes offer approaches based on the operational judgement of forces. Where appropriate, forces have the option to use such pathways to deliver meaningful consequences, such as treatment or education. As committed to in the Drug Strategy, we will soon be rolling out pilots to expand the use of OOCDs within a small number of forces for drug possession offences, and to better understand efficacy of educational interventions for offenders. As part of the OOCD expansion pilots project, the Home Office also aims to establish a more detailed national picture of OOCDs, by examining their provision in all 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales. The pilot will also support work to develop immediate justice as a sanction police could place on drug users. The overall programme of work on OOCDs will provide valuable evidence base for future policy approaches, so that we can ensure the OOCD pathways provide best possible outcomes for communities and for offenders.