Recent data has shown a significant increase in drug-related crimes nationwide, highlighting specific regions facing severe challenges in this regard.
While various crime categories have seen a decline over the past year, drug offenses have surged by 18%, totaling more than 230,000 reported incidents involving drug trafficking or distribution, often associated with criminal organizations. Statistics from the Home Office indicate that urban areas, particularly in the North, are most affected by drug-related crime.
Certain regions have reported over 20 drug crimes daily, some of which have escalated into violent encounters involving gangs perpetrating drug-related homicides.
In Liverpool alone, there were 7,770 documented drug crimes in 2025, marking a 19% rise from the previous year. Merseyside Police attributes this increase to heightened arrests and warrants targeting criminal gangs, making it the highest recorded number in England and Wales. This translates to more than 20 drug offenses daily, equating to a crime occurring approximately every 68 minutes.
In recent months, Liverpool witnessed two shootings in the Toxteth area amid escalating gang violence linked to territorial disputes. Additionally, a teenage girl was shot in Toxteth earlier in the year.
Tragic incidents like the killing of 19-year-old Ellis Cox near the Liverpool Loop Line two years ago underscore the deadly consequences of street-level drug gang conflicts. Despite Ellis’s lack of involvement in criminal activities, his murder was a result of rival drug gangs vying for control in north Liverpool. Police disclosed that the firearm used in Ellis’s killing had been previously connected to two other incidents.
Beyond Liverpool, Manchester recorded 6,631 drug offenses, a 31% increase, while Birmingham saw a 23% rise with 4,680 crimes, and Leeds reported a 7% uptick with 3,114 incidents.
Notably, Liverpool topped the charts with a high crime rate, registering 15 drug offenses for every 1,000 residents. Westminster followed closely with 13 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants, trailed by Manchester, Islington, and Knowsley, each with a rate of nine crimes per 1,000 residents.
The prevalence of drug-related crimes often correlates with other criminal activities, including violence and intimidation, especially in scenarios where rival gangs vie for control.
In response, law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to combat “county lines” gangs and disrupt drug supply chains. The implementation of the “Clear Hold Build” framework, aimed at addressing serious organized crime at a local level, has been a nationwide initiative since 2024. This approach facilitates collaboration between specialized crime units and community policing teams to address specific challenges within a given area.
An update from the National Police Chiefs Council revealed that 1,254 individuals were arrested, 331 were charged, and offenders received sentences totaling over 438 years as part of these efforts.
Deputy Chief Constable Gunney, the National Serious Organized Crime lead, emphasized the importance of viewing various criminal behaviors, from anti-social behavior to violence and theft, as potential indicators of wider organized criminal operations such as drug trafficking and money laundering. The “Clear Hold Build” strategy has enabled a coordinated response to tackle these challenges effectively.