Police: Response to khat will be 'proportionate'

As with other forms of drug misuse, the police response will be proportionate. Activity is likely to be enhanced where there is also intelligence about associated crime or anti-social behaviour.

There may be a case for police action to follow similar lines to the approach used for cannabis possession offences, where a first offence by an adult generally attracts a warning and a second the issuing of a penalty notice before escalating to arrest and prosecution. We will explore this possibility with the Home Office and with the College of Policing over forthcoming weeks.