November 12, 2025
Request Number: FOI/15777
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Alcohol and Drugs
Subject: Formal warnings for drugs
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request
I would like to know the number of formal warnings issued for the possession of Class A, Class B and Class C drugs in each of the last ten years.
Clarification Sought
Can you please clarify what you mean by 'formal warnings'? i.e. Cautions, Penalty Notices for Disorder, Community Resolution Notices?
Clarification Received
Could I get the number of cautions and penalty notices in separate tables please.
Answer
Cautions for possession of Class A, Class B and Class C are as follows:
| Year | Total |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1333 |
| 2016 | 1197 |
| 2017 | 995 |
| 2018 | 1037 |
| 2019 | 959 |
| 2020 | 829 |
| 2021 | 828 |
| 2022 | 857 |
| 2023 | 954 |
| 2024 | 828 |
You also asked for data in respect of PND’s issued for offences of possession of Class A , Class B and Class C. Please note that drug offences are not eligible for PND issue.