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Police record a rise in cocaine-linked crime as England consumes an estimated 2.5 billion lines worth £9.8bn a year

Police record a rise in cocaine-linked crime as England consumes an estimated 2.5 billion lines worth £9.8bn a year

Police recorded at least 29,922 crimes mentioning cocaine in 2025, and 18% were violent, including assaults, domestic abuse and dangerous driving. Deaths linked to the drug have hit record levels. Home Office sewage analysis shows use rose 26% between 2021 and 2025. Historically low prices and high purity have pushed the class A drug into pubs, festivals and workplaces.

Cocaine crime rates climbed from 57.7 to 63.4 cases per 100,000 people since 2019.

MoreThe GuardianAgeing users and record deaths – the data behind Britain’s £9.8bn-a-year cocaine habitThe GuardianCocaine-linked crimes on the rise in Britain as consumption surgesThe GuardianHow cocaine conquered the UK: in pubs, festivals and workplaces the drug has become an everyday habitDaily Mail NewsEx soldiers use military training to smuggle £34mn of cocaine into UK
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