Drug crime across England and Wales has surged by 18% in the last year, with more than 230,000 recorded offences including trafficking and supply, according to new Home Office data. Liverpool has emerged as the nation's drug capital, recording 7,770 drug crimes in 2025—a 19% increase on the previous year—equating to over 20 offences per day, or one every 68 minutes.
Regional Hotspots and Rising Rates
Manchester recorded 6,631 drug crimes (up 31%), Birmingham 4,680 (up 23%), and Leeds 3,114 (up 7%). Liverpool also had the highest drug crime rate at 15 offences per 1,000 residents, followed by Westminster (13 per 1,000), Manchester (11 per 1,000), and Islington and Knowsley (9 per 1,000 each). The figures include possession, supply, and production of drugs, which are often linked to organised criminal gangs.
Gang Violence and Turf Wars
High levels of drug crime have fuelled violent incidents, particularly in Liverpool. In June 2025, two shootings occurred in the Toxteth area following an escalation in gang turf wars. In March, a teenage girl was shot in the legs in Toxteth. Two years earlier, 19-year-old Ellis Cox was killed near the Liverpool Loop Line; police revealed the gun used had been involved in two previous incidents. Ellis had no criminal involvement, but his death was driven by a rivalry between street-level drug gangs in north Liverpool.
Police Response and Proactive Policing
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.” Merseyside Police has seen a 13% force-wide rise in drug crime, attributing it to increased warrants, arrests, and charges targeting criminal gangs.
National Crackdown on County Lines
Police have intensified efforts to disrupt “county lines” drug supply chains. The “Clear Hold Build” (CHB) framework, rolled out nationally in 2024, links organised crime specialists with neighbourhood teams to tackle local challenges. Last week, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) announced 1,254 arrests, 331 charges, and combined sentences totalling over 438 years. Deputy Chief Constable Gunney, National Serious Organised Crime lead, said: “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… It is encouraging to see it transforming people's lives for the better.”
