THE number of people being convicted for cannabis possession by North Wales Police has increased since 2016, bucking the national trend.

Across England and Wales the majority of police forces have been taking fewer people to court for cannabis possession, due to a reduction in the number of stop and searches, according to drug legislation charity Release.

However, according to Ministry of Justice figures, the numbers being convicted in North Wales actually rose by 10 per cent between 2016 and 2017.

Last year 131 people were found guilty at court of cannabis possession, compared with 119 in 2016.

In Gloucestershire there was a 28 per cent drop over the same period, the biggest reduction in England and Wales.

This follows more calls for cannabis to be legalised.

At the moment the Association of Chief Police Officers only recommends arresting someone for having cannabis for personal use, after they have been given a warning and separately an £80 penalty notice.

In North Wales Police 101 of those convicted were given a fine or discharge, while seven received prison sentences.

Cannabis possession offences make up 35 per cent of the total drugs possession offences North Wales Police brought to court.