The Home Affairs Minister says he will support decriminalisation of low level possession of cannabis for personal use.

Bill Malarkey was giving evidence to the social affairs scrutiny committee.

He cited the example of Durham Constabulary who don’t prosecute for possession of the class B drug at all - and are looking to extend that stance to cover class A drugs like heroin as well.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts has already said he wants a ’scientific’ 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.

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

Mr Malarkey told the policy review committee: ’I definitely want a full discussion on cannabis. It’s time for a full discussion on cannabis.

’Crime went up by 11% last year and 8% of that were possessions. At that moment we’ve got a three strike - a caution, a referral and then a court. Some of that is for very low possession.

’You can be caught three times for low possession and end up with a criminal record. That’s wrong in my view.’

Mr Malarkey said he had ’very liberal view’ on cannabis, pointing out that cigarettes and alcohol aren’t banned and there’s an argument whether cannabis should be available for medical purposes.

He said: ’Decriminalisation is maybe a step too far. It was very interesting to actually watch the news at lunchtime as Durham police have led the way in the UK. They don’t prosecute for possession at all.

’Only with intent to supply are you prosecuted. They want to take that one step further, for class As as well, for heroin etc.

’They are looking for clinics to actually administer it. So that’s a major step forward. I would like to look into that side of it much more.’

Committee chairman David Cretney MLC asked: ’So you are having policy consideration on low level use?’

Mr Malarkey replied: ’At a lower level I think it’s time, not to turn a blind eye to it. I just don’t like criminalising people [for it].’

He said he had spoken to the Attorney General to find out what the powers are available for such a change in the drugs law.

Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg has said: ’We are not going soft on drugs; we believe we are going sensible.

’What we need is a means of making the market in controlled drugs less lucrative.’