Serious assault and drug crimes figures as reported
| Authority | Isle of Man Constabulary |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2020-10-22 |
| Outcome | All information sent |
| Outcome date | 2020-10-23 |
| Case ID | 1526921 |
Summary
The request sought data to verify a Minister's claim linking a 6.8% rise in drug crime to a 49% increase in serious assault, specifically asking for cannabis-related proportions and secondary influence breakdowns. The Isle of Man Constabulary disclosed a detailed table of drug offence statistics by class for 2018-2020 but provided only a partial assessment of serious violent crimes for January to July 2020 regarding secondary influences.
Key Facts
- Total drug offences increased by 6.8% from 457 in 2018-19 to 488 in 2019-20.
- Class A drug offences saw a 29.0% increase, rising from 100 to 129 recorded offences.
- Class B drug offences decreased by 0.9%, falling from 335 to 332 recorded offences.
- Class C drug offences increased by 23.8%, rising from 21 to 26 recorded offences.
- Data on serious assault secondary influences was limited to the period of January 2020 to July 2020.
Data Disclosed
- 6.8%
- 49%
- 2018-19
- 2019-20
- 457
- 488
- 100
- 129
- 29.0%
- 335
- 332
- -0.9%
- 21
- 26
- 23.8%
- January 2020
- July 2020
- 1526921
- 2020-10-22
- 2020-10-23
Original Request
The annual report was released and a statement was made by the Minister for the Department of Home Affairs implying speculatively that a 6.8% increase in drug crime is related to a 49% increase in serious assault. In order to determine the legitimacy of his inference I would like data on: 1. What proportion of the 6.8% increase was due to Cannabis related charges made by the Isle of Man Constabulary. 2. With reference to the 49% of serious assault offences causing an year on year increase: A. What percentage of serious assault offences had a secondary factor such as alcohol, cannabis or other drugs B. A breakdown in serious assault by secondary influences. - i.e. 2 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of cannabis. 3 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of heroin. 4 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of alcohol etc...
Data Tables (2)
| Offence Group | Sub Group | Offence Title | 2018- 2019 | 2019- 2020 | Differenc e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record ed | Record ed | % | |||
| DRUG OFFENCES | DRUGS - SUPPLY USE MANUFACTURE | Attempted possession of controlled class A drugs | 1 | ||
| Possession of controlled class A drugs | 63 | 65 | |||
| Possession of controlled class A drugs with intent to supply | 22 | 34 | |||
| Production of Class A controlled drugs | 12 | 22 | |||
| Supply of Class A controlled drugs | 3 | 7 | |||
| Class A total: | 100 | 129 | 29.0% | ||
| Cultivation of cannabis | 9 | 5 | |||
| Attempted possession of controlled class B drugs | 2 | ||||
| Possession of controlled class B drugs | 275 | 260 | |||
| Possession of controlled class B drugs with intent to supply | 21 | 22 | |||
| Production of Class B controlled drugs | 24 | 37 | |||
| Supply of Class B controlled drugs | 6 | 6 | |||
| Class B Total: | 335 | 332 | -0.9% | ||
| Attempted possession of controlled class C drugs | 1 | ||||
| Possession of controlled class C drugs | 17 | 18 | |||
| Possession of controlled class C drugs with intent to supply | 1 | 5 | |||
| Production of Class C controlled drugs | 3 | 1 | |||
| Supply of Class C controlled drugs | 1 | ||||
| Class C Total: | 21 | 26 | 23.8% | ||
| Permit premises to be used for drugs | 1 | ||||
| Supply articles for drugs use | 1 | ||||
| Other Total: | 1 | 1 | 0.0% | ||
| TOTAL | 457 | 488 | 6.8% |
| Offence Group | Sub Group | Offence Title | 2018- 2019 | 2019- 2020 | Differenc e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record ed | Record ed | % | |||
| DRUG OFFENCES | DRUGS - SUPPLY USE MANUFACTURE | Attempted possession of controlled class A drugs | 1 | ||
| Possession of controlled class A drugs | 63 | 65 | |||
| Possession of controlled class A drugs with intent to supply | 22 | 34 | |||
| Production of Class A controlled drugs | 12 | 22 | |||
| Supply of Class A controlled drugs | 3 | 7 | |||
| Class A total: | 100 | 129 | 29.0% | ||
| Cultivation of cannabis | 9 | 5 | |||
| Attempted possession of controlled class B drugs | 2 | ||||
| Possession of controlled class B drugs | 275 | 260 | |||
| Possession of controlled class B drugs with intent to supply | 21 | 22 | |||
| Production of Class B controlled drugs | 24 | 37 | |||
| Supply of Class B controlled drugs | 6 | 6 | |||
| Class B Total: | 335 | 332 | -0.9% | ||
| Attempted possession of controlled class C drugs | 1 | ||||
| Possession of controlled class C drugs | 17 | 18 | |||
| Possession of controlled class C drugs with intent to supply | 1 | 5 | |||
| Production of Class C controlled drugs | 3 | 1 | |||
| Supply of Class C controlled drugs | 1 | ||||
| Class C Total: | 21 | 26 | 23.8% | ||
| Permit premises to be used for drugs | 1 | ||||
| Supply articles for drugs use | 1 | ||||
| Other Total: | 1 | 1 | 0.0% | ||
| TOTAL | 457 | 488 | 6.8% |
Full Response Text
Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG
Our ref: 1526921 23 October 2020
Dear ###
We write further to your request which was received on 22 October 2020 and which states:
"The annual report was released and a statement was made by the Minister for the Department of Home Affairs implying speculatively that a 6.8% increase in drug crime is related to a 49% increase in serious assault. In order to determine the legitimacy of his inference I would like data on: 1. What proportion of the 6.8% increase was due to Cannabis related charges made by the Isle of Man Constabulary. 2. With reference to the 49% of serious assault offences causing an year on year increase: A. What percentage of serious assault offences had a secondary factor such as alcohol, cannabis or other drugs B. A breakdown in serious assault by secondary influences. - i.e. 2 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of cannabis. 3 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of heroin. 4 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of alcohol etc..."
Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. Questions 1 and 3 refer to data published with the Chief Constable’s Annual Report, in the Data Charts section. https://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20182021/2020-GD-0020.pdf 1. What proportion of the 6.8% increase was due to Cannabis related charges made by the Isle of Man Constabulary? A breakdown of drug offences by classification is available within the Annual Report. Please see table 1 on page 65 of the ‘Data Charts’ section. Below this data has been used to calculate % difference between 2018-19 and 2019- 20 for each Classification:
2018- 2019 2019- 2020 Differenc e Offence Group Sub Group Offence Title Record ed Record ed % Attempted possession of controlled class A drugs
1 Possession of controlled class A drugs 63 65 Possession of controlled class A drugs with intent to supply 22 34 Production of Class A controlled drugs 12 22 Supply of Class A controlled drugs 3 7
Class A total: 100 129 29.0% Cultivation of cannabis 9 5 Attempted possession of controlled class B drugs
2 Possession of controlled class B drugs 275 260 Possession of controlled class B drugs with intent to supply 21 22 Production of Class B controlled drugs 24 37 Supply of Class B controlled drugs 6 6
Class B Total: 335 332 -0.9% Attempted possession of controlled class C drugs
1 Possession of controlled class C drugs 17 18 Possession of controlled class C drugs with intent to supply 1 5 Production of Class C controlled drugs 3 1 Supply of Class C controlled drugs
1
Class C Total: 21 26 23.8% Permit premises to be used for drugs 1
Supply articles for drugs use
1
DRUG OFFENCES DRUGS - SUPPLY USE MANUFACTURE Other Total: 1 1 0.0% TOTAL
457 488 6.8% 2. With reference to the 49% of serious assault offences causing a year on year increase: A. What percentage of serious assault offences had a secondary factor such as alcohol,
cannabis or other drugs? B. A breakdown in serious assault by secondary influences - i.e. 2 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of cannabis., 3 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of heroin., 4 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of alcohol etc... This below assesses serious violent crimes committed during the period January 2020 – July 2020. Please quote the reference number 1526921 in any future communications.
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2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
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time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another
form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in
making any subsequent decision.
More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.
Yours sincerely
Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG
Our ref: 1526921 23 October 2020
Dear ###
We write further to your request which was received on 22 October 2020 and which states:
"The annual report was released and a statement was made by the Minister for the Department of Home Affairs implying speculatively that a 6.8% increase in drug crime is related to a 49% increase in serious assault. In order to determine the legitimacy of his inference I would like data on: 1. What proportion of the 6.8% increase was due to Cannabis related charges made by the Isle of Man Constabulary. 2. With reference to the 49% of serious assault offences causing an year on year increase: A. What percentage of serious assault offences had a secondary factor such as alcohol, cannabis or other drugs B. A breakdown in serious assault by secondary influences. - i.e. 2 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of cannabis. 3 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of heroin. 4 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of alcohol etc..."
Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. Questions 1 and 3 refer to data published with the Chief Constable’s Annual Report, in the Data Charts section. https://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20182021/2020-GD-0020.pdf 1. What proportion of the 6.8% increase was due to Cannabis related charges made by the Isle of Man Constabulary? A breakdown of drug offences by classification is available within the Annual Report. Please see table 1 on page 65 of the ‘Data Charts’ section. Below this data has been used to calculate % difference between 2018-19 and 2019- 20 for each Classification:
2018- 2019 2019- 2020 Differenc e Offence Group Sub Group Offence Title Record ed Record ed % Attempted possession of controlled class A drugs
1 Possession of controlled class A drugs 63 65 Possession of controlled class A drugs with intent to supply 22 34 Production of Class A controlled drugs 12 22 Supply of Class A controlled drugs 3 7
Class A total: 100 129 29.0% Cultivation of cannabis 9 5 Attempted possession of controlled class B drugs
2 Possession of controlled class B drugs 275 260 Possession of controlled class B drugs with intent to supply 21 22 Production of Class B controlled drugs 24 37 Supply of Class B controlled drugs 6 6
Class B Total: 335 332 -0.9% Attempted possession of controlled class C drugs
1 Possession of controlled class C drugs 17 18 Possession of controlled class C drugs with intent to supply 1 5 Production of Class C controlled drugs 3 1 Supply of Class C controlled drugs
1
Class C Total: 21 26 23.8% Permit premises to be used for drugs 1
Supply articles for drugs use
1
DRUG OFFENCES DRUGS - SUPPLY USE MANUFACTURE Other Total: 1 1 0.0% TOTAL
457 488 6.8% 2. With reference to the 49% of serious assault offences causing a year on year increase: A. What percentage of serious assault offences had a secondary factor such as alcohol,
cannabis or other drugs? B. A breakdown in serious assault by secondary influences - i.e. 2 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of cannabis., 3 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of heroin., 4 offences for serious assault where the offender was under the influence of alcohol etc... This below assesses serious violent crimes committed during the period January 2020 – July 2020. Please quote the reference number 1526921 in any future communications.
Your right to request a review
If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.
An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal
to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;
1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with
Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any
time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another
form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in
making any subsequent decision.
More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.
Yours sincerely