Police officers is set to be granted array of new powers in a bid to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
The powers, which could have controversial human rights implications, are set to include drug testing on arrest, powers of entry to recover stolen goods, and access to the DVLA driver licence records.
Under current legislation, there are 21 trigger offences, with police having the ability to perform a drug test on someone in custody for Class A drugs.
However, the powers will expand the rules to encompass both Class B and C drugs for the first time and expand the list of trigger offences.
Police to be granted new drug testing powers in major bid to crackdown on crime
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Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “Drug testing on arrest plays an important role in combatting the use of illegal drugs and the harms they cause by addressing possible causal factors in criminal behaviour.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we are expanding the police’s ability to use these powers to get a stronger understanding of the impacts of wider drug misuse and direct more people towards the support they need to overcome addiction.
“We are also adding a range of new trigger offences, including serious crimes such as rape, grievous bodily harm and anti-social behaviour.
“This is an important step in our efforts to make streets safer and reduce serious violent crime across the country.”
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Previous attempts of Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA) have been undertaken by the Criminal Justice Bill, the new powers are an “important tool” to help cut crime and save lives.
The bill proposed by ex-Home Secretary James Cleverly states: “In July 2022, the Government published a consultation: ‘Swift, Tough, Certain: New consequences for drug possession’.
“This included consulting on expanding DToA powers, including expanding the drugs within scope.”
However, the powers could infringe on civil liberties, with police not needing search warrants to recover stolen goods and would overturn part of the Theft Act 1968.
A report on the potential bill found that out of a total of 12 forces reporting 58,649 tests in February 2024, the positive test rate was 53 per cent (30,958).
Theft has also been on a steady increase, the BBC found that robbery hit an estimated 139,000 incidents, compared with 60,000 the previous year.
Police say the Government is taking action now as research shows there is a correlation between drug use and crime.
Rape, sexual assault, GBH, and possession of an offensive weapon are all set to be included in the new list of trigger offences.
Dame Diana Johnson said: “Drug testing on arrest plays an important role in combatting the use of illegal drugs"
GOV.UK
Statistics released last week showed 56 per cent of 150,000 drug tests on arrest showed a positive result for cocaine, opiates, or both.
Anti-social behaviour and drink driving offences will also be featured on the expanded powers list as well as several provisions under the Football Offences Act such as throwing missiles at a fixture, pitch invasion and racist chanting.
Only trigger offences related to fraud are set to be removed.
