Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley has sparked controversy by calling for the legalisation and regulation of drugs in response to football's growing drug crisis.
Speaking on GB News, Bleksley spoke with host Martin Daubney as he argued for a radical overhaul of drug policy.
"The simple, indisputable fact is illegal drugs are everywhere. Consumption is going up. Demand is going up," Bleksley told viewers.
His comments come as new legislation is set to give police expanded powers to drug test football fans.
Bleksley said the drug trade should be legalised and regulated
GB NEWS
The Home Office has announced the expansion of drug testing capabilities through the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill.
Under the new legislation, police will be able to test fans for Class A, B and C drugs if they commit match-day offences.
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GETTYThese offences include violence, pitch invasion, throwing missiles and racist, indecent or tragedy chanting.
Currently, police can only test for Class A drugs in cases involving crimes such as theft, robbery and handling stolen goods.
Those who test positive for possession or supply of Class A drugs could face football banning orders or imprisonment.
Bleksley argued that the "war on drugs" of the past 50 years has failed to achieve results.
Bleksley joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
"I'm going to use the words legalise and regulate. Anyone using the word legalise, do not separate that from the word regulate," he explained.
The former detective emphasised he wasn't condoning drug use, but advocated for controlled regulation.
"We will reduce the harm, raise billions in tax revenues and shrink the population by educating people. Educate children young away from drugs," he said.
Recent statistics show there were 344 arrests for possession or use of Class A drugs during the 2023 to 2024 football season.
The new measures follow findings from Baroness Casey's independent review of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Her review concluded that illegal drugs and alcohol were driving factors behind the widespread disorder witnessed that day.
The latest figures show 2,264 football-related arrests were made during the 2022/23 season, down significantly from the 6,000 recorded in 1988/89.
Daubney appeared taken aback by Bleksley's stance, suggesting the former detective had become "progressive and woke".
Bleksley firmly rejected this characterisation, responding: "It's not woke in the slightest. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is madness."
Drawing from his experience at Scotland Yard, Bleksley added: "I have seen the illegal drugs industry from just about every aspect. Drugs are now in every town, village, hamlet of this nation. Let's rip this industry away from criminals."
