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Conservative conference: Middle-class drug users to be targeted - Sajid Javid | Conservative conference: Middle-class drug users to be targeted - Sajid Javid |
(35 minutes later) | |
Middle-class drug users will be targeted as part of a crackdown on the causes of violent crime, Home Secretary Sajid Javid will announce. | Middle-class drug users will be targeted as part of a crackdown on the causes of violent crime, Home Secretary Sajid Javid will announce. |
He will use his Tory conference speech to launch a review of drug buyers and sellers - and how shifts in the market are linked to outbreaks of bloodshed. | He will use his Tory conference speech to launch a review of drug buyers and sellers - and how shifts in the market are linked to outbreaks of bloodshed. |
Justice Secretary David Gauke will also announce a new financial crime unit to seize the assets of drugs "kingpins". | Justice Secretary David Gauke will also announce a new financial crime unit to seize the assets of drugs "kingpins". |
Labour says the proposals will not make up for cuts to public services. | Labour says the proposals will not make up for cuts to public services. |
Affluent drug users have been linked to the rise in gang-related knife crime in London and other cities. | Affluent drug users have been linked to the rise in gang-related knife crime in London and other cities. |
In August, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, echoing London Mayor Sadiq Khan, said: "There are some Londoners who think it is a victimless crime, taking cocaine at 'middle-class parties'." | In August, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, echoing London Mayor Sadiq Khan, said: "There are some Londoners who think it is a victimless crime, taking cocaine at 'middle-class parties'." |
The results of the Home Office drug misuse review - targeting all types of user, including professionals - will be used to help police crack down on buyers and sellers, Mr Javid will say. | The results of the Home Office drug misuse review - targeting all types of user, including professionals - will be used to help police crack down on buyers and sellers, Mr Javid will say. |
In a pre-speech interview, he told the Daily Mail: "We need to make people understand that if you are a middle-class drug user and you sort of think, 'Well, I'm not doing any damage, I know what I'm doing,' well, there's a whole supply chain that goes into that. | |
"Youths whose lives have been abused, the county lines, other drug takers being abused, crime being encouraged. | |
"You are not innocent - no one is innocent if they are taking illegal drugs." | |
Mr Javid is also launching a consultation on plans to ensure public sector workers in health, education, social services, local government and housing services make tackling the root causes of serious violence a top priority. | Mr Javid is also launching a consultation on plans to ensure public sector workers in health, education, social services, local government and housing services make tackling the root causes of serious violence a top priority. |
They could be asked to report early warning signs of someone at risk of falling into a life of violent crime, such as truancy, aggression, anti-social behaviour or substance misuse. | They could be asked to report early warning signs of someone at risk of falling into a life of violent crime, such as truancy, aggression, anti-social behaviour or substance misuse. |
A £200m youth endowment fund is being set up that will focus on violent crime hotspots. | A £200m youth endowment fund is being set up that will focus on violent crime hotspots. |
David Gauke's planned new financial crimes unit will investigate how bank accounts are being used to pay for drugs in prison and track down the criminals linked to them. | David Gauke's planned new financial crimes unit will investigate how bank accounts are being used to pay for drugs in prison and track down the criminals linked to them. |
The unit, which will be based in Peterborough, will have the power to close accounts and freeze assets as well as make arrests. | The unit, which will be based in Peterborough, will have the power to close accounts and freeze assets as well as make arrests. |
"My message to kingpins is this: we are already blocking your phones, putting you in isolation and now we will make sure you can't access your money," Mr Gauke will say. | "My message to kingpins is this: we are already blocking your phones, putting you in isolation and now we will make sure you can't access your money," Mr Gauke will say. |
Meanwhile, more prisoners will be given training to help them get into work once they are released. | Meanwhile, more prisoners will be given training to help them get into work once they are released. |
And £5m will be put into creating the first secure school to improve the education of young offenders. | And £5m will be put into creating the first secure school to improve the education of young offenders. |
Labour's shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said: "These measures fall way short of what is needed to tackle the emergency in our prisons." | Labour's shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said: "These measures fall way short of what is needed to tackle the emergency in our prisons." |
Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson will make his only appearance at this year's conference in Birmingham on Tuesday. | Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson will make his only appearance at this year's conference in Birmingham on Tuesday. |
Days after criticising Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plans, he will deliver a wide-ranging speech at a fringe event, touching on areas over which he has never had ministerial responsibility, such as law and order, tax cuts and housebuilding. | Days after criticising Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plans, he will deliver a wide-ranging speech at a fringe event, touching on areas over which he has never had ministerial responsibility, such as law and order, tax cuts and housebuilding. |
Back in the main hall, Health Secretary Matt Hancock will announce a £240m package to ease pressure on the NHS this winter by enabling more elderly people to be looked after at home. | Back in the main hall, Health Secretary Matt Hancock will announce a £240m package to ease pressure on the NHS this winter by enabling more elderly people to be looked after at home. |