The Chief Constable believes the island’s law on drugs possession needs to change.

Gary Roberts has called for a scientifically-based debate on drugs and drugs law.

Island police have come under fire in recent years when drug users have been prosecuted for possession of just a few pounds worth of cannabis. One teenager was convicted for having cannabis valued at 52p.

In two cases only last week, defendants were fined £400 and £500 respectively for possessing £24 and £30 worth of cannabis.

Mr Roberts pointed out that if someone is taken to court for possession of a few pounds of the class B drug it is never for a first offence. And he stressed: ’We don’t dictate what the law says.’

But he added: ’I think we need a scientifically-based debate on drugs and drugs law.’

He cited the example of Durham Constabulary, which doesn’t prosecute anyone for drugs possession and will take no action against people who grow small amounts of cannabis for their own use.

It’s a move aimed at cutting costs, keeping users out of criminal justice system and focusing resources on organised crime.

Latest figures for reported crime in the island show there were 208 extra offences in 2016-17. But 115 of these were drugs possession offences, and almost all for simple possession of cannabis.

The Chief Constable’s annual report notes that offences of possessing cannabis are a daily event and officers routinely find cannabis when dealing with young people.

A motion on legalising cannabis for medicinal use was tabled at the May Tynwald.

But it was withdrawn at the 11th hour as it was seen by health chiefs to be pre-empting the publication of the strategic needs assessment for drugs and alcohol.

A petition was presented at Tynwald Day calling for the drug to be allowed to be used for pain relief.

Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson, who wants the government to consider legalising cannabis for medical purposes, said he hoped the DHSC report will be published soon and he will then put a motion to Tynwald, probably on the back of the Tynwald petition.

He said: ’Hopefully this will be in November.

’The comments from the Chief Constable are more strident than last year and demonstrate a real argument for reclassifying cannabis as a class C drug rather than the current B.

In his annual report, Mr Roberts noted: ’Drugs policy is a matter for politicians.

’The current situation ought not to continue. The island needs a new drug and alcohol strategy which focuses as much on health aspects as it does on enforcement issues.’