Drug diversion schemes cut reoffending rates more than prosecution, study says
Researchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenResearchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years. “Police forces now have an opportunity to reduce their costs – and pressure on the courts – by making more use of diversion,” said Stevens, who quit the government’s expert advisory council on drugs in 2019 over the “political vetting” of candidates.
- ▪Researchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years.
- ▪Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenResearchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years.
- ▪“Police forces now have an opportunity to reduce their costs – and pressure on the courts – by making more use of diversion,” said Stevens, who quit the government’s expert advisory council on drugs in 2019 over the “political vetting” of c
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| Original publisher | World news | The Guardian |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/13/drug-diversion-schemes-reoffending-rates-police |
| Publication time | Sat, 13 Jun 2026 08:00:09 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-06-13T09:43:16.612Z |
| Last seen | 2026-06-13T10:19:49.493Z |
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Researchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenResearchers examined outcomes across 13 English police forces and more than 62,000 criminal incidents over the past four years. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesPoliceDrug diversion schemes cut reoffending rates more than prosecution, study saysExclusive: Research in England shows people a third less likely to reoffend under decriminalisation-style schemesMattha BusbySat 13 Jun 2026 04.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleDrug diversion schemes led by police that steer people away from the criminal justice system and into treatment and education services are significantly more effective…
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