Liverpool has the highest drug crime rate in England and Wales, according to new Home Office figures, with 7,770 drug offences recorded in 2025 — a 19% increase on the previous year. That equates to more than 20 drug offences every day, or roughly one every 68 minutes. The rise comes amid a series of high-profile incidents linked to suspected gang activity, including two shootings in the Toxteth area in June.
National increase in drug offences
Nationally, drug offences increased by 18% over the past year, with more than 230,000 crimes involving possession, supply or production recorded by police. Merseyside Police attributed the local rise partly to intensified enforcement, including more arrests and warrants targeting organised crime groups. Assistant Chief Constable Andy Ryan, Head of Crime and Intelligence for Merseyside Police, said: "The most eye-catching increase is a 13% increase in drug offences. Although we understand that such an increase may cause concern, we don’t necessarily see an increase in drug arrests as a negative result, but in part as a result of proactive resources being invested in the issue."
Rate per population
When adjusted for population, Liverpool recorded 15 drug offences per 1,000 residents, the highest rate in England and Wales. Westminster followed with 13 per 1,000, Manchester with 11, and Islington and Knowsley each with nine per 1,000. Other major cities also saw rises: Manchester recorded 6,631 offences (up 31%), Birmingham 4,680 (up 23%), and Leeds 3,114 (up 7%).
Gang violence and policing response
The figures follow a series of incidents linked to suspected gang rivalry. In June, two shootings occurred in Toxteth, and in March, a teenage girl was shot in the legs in the same area. Police say such violence often stems from turf wars between organised crime groups. In response, forces have adopted the "Clear Hold Build" (CHB) framework, rolled out nationally in 2024, which combines specialist organised crime officers with neighbourhood teams to disrupt supply chains and reduce violence. Deputy Chief Constable Gunney, National Serious Organised Crime lead, said: "Historically, these crimes have been seen in isolation and not as symptoms of wider organised criminality like drug trafficking and money laundering. What CHB has done is connect specialist SOC officers to neighbourhood teams so escalating behaviours and patterns can be viewed and investigated through a different lens."
Results of CHB
Last week, the National Police Chiefs Council reported that CHB operations had led to 1,254 arrests, 331 charges, and combined sentences of more than 438 years. Ryan added: "We are constantly looking for information and opportunities to target drug offences and offenders, and such proactive policing will naturally result in more offences being identified."
