Despite an increase in drug crime, the police have reported a slight fall in class B related offences.

The police have released data that shows where the increase in drug-related offences, identified in Chief Constable Gary Robert’s annual report, came from.

In total, the financial year 2019/20 saw an increase of drug offences from 457 to 488, a rise of 6.8%.

The largest increase came in crimes involving class A drugs, which saw a jump from 100 to 129 offences.

People charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs saw the biggest jump, up from 22 to 34, while production (importation) of class A drugs to the island rose from 12 to 22 offences.

There were also increases in offences for supplying class A drugs, from three to seven, possession of Class A drugs 63 to 65 and there was one offence committed for attempted possession.

The increase in Class C drug offences, from 21 to 26, was mostly because of an increase from one to five, of people being found in possession with intent to supply.

However, there was a decrease from three to one offences being committed of the production of class C drugs to the island.

The decrease in Class B drug crimes, 335 to 332, seems unusual at first reading as the number of people being found guilty of production of class B drugs rose from 24 to 37.

There was also a small increase, from 21 to 22, of being found guilty of possession of class B drugs with intent to supply.

However, there was a significant drop, 275 to 260, of people being found guilty of possession of class B drugs, while the number of people being found to cultivate cannabis fell from nine to five convictions.

The FoI response has also detailed the relationship between illegal drugs and the increase in violent crime seen between 2018/19 and 2019/20.

Alcohol is the main driver of serious violent crime, with 40% of those crimes being committed by people under the influence.

However, the police added: ’The illicit drug trade is also a driver for serious violent crime, 21% of these incidents assessed were suspected to be drug related violence.

’However, the victims of these instances are not forthcoming with police regarding the reasons why they were targeted, therefore the true amount of drug related violence is estimated to be higher than the suspected levels.

’The majority of drug related violence is likely to be drug debt collection, but there are also instances of retribution/retaliation between drug organised crime gangs.’

â?¢ Class A drugs include substances such as cocaine and heroin, class B drugs include cannabis and ecsatsy while class C includes anabolic steroids and some tranquilisers.