The number of drug offences in England and Wales increased by almost a fifth last year to the highest level in over a decade, new figures have shown.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), an estimated 230,783 drug-related incidents took place in 2025 — up from 195,613 in 2024.
Data used by the ONS revealed an unprecedented level of drug trafficking in 2025, with police recording 75,907 offences, a rise of 26 per cent from 2024. Drug possession offences were also up by 15 per cent to 154,876, of which 105,689 were for cannabis.
Mini-mart drugs
A recent BBC investigation found cocaine, cannabis and nitrous oxide offered for sale in mini-marts across four West Midlands towns. Following its undercover report, police made two arrests.
Further analysis of news articles about criminal activity on UK high streets also revealed that drugs, including heroin, had been found in more than 70 shops and adjoining premises.
In response to the findings, Liam Byrne MP — chair of the Business and Trade Committee — said: “We can’t restore our High Streets unless we take out the cancer of organised crime”.
Drug consumption
Home Office data from wastewater analysis in England indicates that cocaine consumption increased by an estimated 26 per cent between 2021 and 2025. In the latest figures for 2025, cocaine was reportedly the most widely used drug with the highest market value — equating to 123,000 kilograms worth £9.8 billion.
Over the same period, ketamine saw the second largest estimated increase in consumption among illegal drugs detected, rising by 229 per cent over four years.
Scientists calculated that 30,800 kilograms of the dangerous class B drug were consumed nationally in 2025 — a rise of 54 per cent on the previous year — equating to £0.9 billion pounds in illegal sales.
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