Findings from a realist process evaluation of three police-led Drug Diversion (PDD) schemes in England and Wales: mapping mechanisms of change in varied contexts.

• In Event: Evaluating community sanctions and measures

Abstract

The UK Government’s 10 year drug strategy aims to ‘cut crime and save lives,’ (UK Government, 2021) through harm reduction approaches to the policing of drugs. In tandem with efforts to shrink the illicit drugs market, the UK Parliament Home Affairs Committee’s report on drugs (August 2023) recommended that the UK Government adopt a broader range of health-based harm reduction methods. Central to these methods are an expansion of diversionary schemes, often referred to as out of court disposals or community resolutions. These are intended to channel people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system and into treatment, education and support. Most police forces now use diversionary approaches to drug possession offences and/or drug-related crime, but only some areas have formalised policy and practice.

This paper adds to the evidence base which establishes the merits of diversion. We present key findings from the process evaluation strand of a large-scale, multi-site, realist evaluation of PDD schemes. This project, funded by the UK Cabinet Office, involved conducting over 200 interviews with police officers, staff working in various partner agencies that deliver diversionary interventions, and people who have been diverted. The findings focus on mechanisms that are pertinent to understanding the implementation and outcomes of PDD, including (i) police partnerships and multi-agency working, (ii) the timing and purpose of needs assessments and (iii) an individual’s motivation and engagement. Our conclusion considers the policy and practice implications by reflecting on what works, for whom, under what circumstances and why.

Authors

• Helen Glasspoole-Bird, The Open University

• Rivka Mostol Smith, The University of Sheffield

• Charlie E Sutton, Loughborough University

• Matthew Bacon, University of Sheffield

• Nadine Hendrie, University of Kent

• Mark Monaghan, Loughborough University

• Alex Stevens, University of Kent

• Emma Williams, Centre for Police Research and Learning – Open University