Cannabis use among young offenders rockets by 75 per cent in just three years

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Figures suggest that use of cannabis among juvenile offenders has roughly doubled in three years.

In some parts of the country that means nine out of ten teenage criminals have been using the drug.

Links between cannabis and crime have been causing concern since former Home Secretary David Blunkett decided to label it a Class C drug rather than Class B - a switch that meant police are highly unlikely to arrest anyone caught with it.

That 2004 decision appears to have intensified use of cannabis among the youngest criminals.

Yesterday's figures come from a survey for local Youth Offending Teams, which run probation and attempt reform of teenage criminals.

Its estimates show that use of cannabis has increased by between 25 and 75 per cent since 2004.

Darren Johson, of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, said that in some areas cannabis use was "out of control".

A Home Office spokesman said there had been a steady fall in cannabis use across all age ranges.