Lessons in 'innovative' policing

DHA delegation visits Durham

Home affairs chiefs have been taking lessons in policy from a major UK police force.

Durham Constabulary welcomed Minister Bill Malarkey, Chief Executive Mark Kelly and Deputy Chief Executive Julian Lalor-Smith to its headquarters this week.

The force has recently made national headlines for its unusual approaches to tackling crime.

In 2015, it announced it would no longer be actively pursuing users and small-scale growers of cannabis, in an effort to free up resources.

And earlier this year, Chief Constable Mike Barton revealed plans to limit sentences for other drug addicts - instead forcing them to attend rehabilitation programmes.