Arguably one of the most well-documented and concerning issues, drug crime has long been a prevalent issue across the UK. From organised gangs and the underbelly of crime that’s so often in the headlines, through to the darker side of nightlife in our town and city centres, it’s an issued that’s far more nuanced than the surface shows.
Of course, while drug crime across the UK is a known issue, there’s certain areas of the country that have a much longer-standing problem. That’s what today’s report from Churchill Support Services seeks to uncover.
In a similar vein to our recent exposés on knife crime across the UK and the country’s soaring rate of gun crime, we’ll be diving into the worst-affected areas for drug crime UK-wide, and what that means for those living in, or visiting those areas. We’ll also examine key crime trends to discover what direction drug crime in the UK is headed.
While undeniably a complex and often difficult-to-broach issue, drug crime has a chequered past in terms of its prevalence in the public eye.
Statistics as far back as 2017 show substantially less offences (at 132,935 drug crimes) than the most recent batch of data (181,421 drug crimes), crimes involving narcotics and illegal substances have long been in a state of flux.
That was exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, with 2021 seeing close to 200,000 (198,410) drug offences. We’ve seen a slight reduction in that as the above graphic shows, but we’re still a far cry from the much lower rates we saw in the 2010s. What’s been less changeable, though, is whereabouts across the UK those drug crimes are most prominent.
The capital accounts for the lion’s share of drug crimes in 2023/24, with 21.1% (or 37,554 offences) of all the country’s drug offences occurring in the London area. The North West ranks just behind that, accounting for 19.1% (34,030 offences). That’s consistent across the last few years of data, too.
Wales, on the other hand, ranks lowest across the UK for drug crime, with just 7,021 drug offences across the most recent year of data, or around 3.9% of all crime involving illegal substances.
As insightful as this data is however, it only gives us a partial overview of the UK’s ongoing and much-maligned issues with narcotics. Let’s dive deeper, and look at 25 of the UK’s worst areas for drug crime, and the key statistics that earn them a less-than-savoury spot on our list.
We’ll break down the 25 most dangerous areas when it comes to drug crime, and the facts and figures you need to know to make an informed decision of where you choose to visit or stay.
Most known for its larger towns of Cumbernauld and Coatbridge, the North Lanarkshire area is rarely somewhere you’d associate with having an ongoing issue with drugs. However, the most recent year of data shows 1,699 drug offences across the county – a stark reminder of how drug crime in the UK isn’t just confined to the bigger cities and built-up areas.
A quaint council area of Scotland, nestled amongst the rolling hills and picturesque lochs, it came as a surprise to even our research methods to see Argyll & Bute rank among the worst areas for drug crime in the UK. However, that’s to be expected with 445 drug offences in such a small area.
One of Merseyside’s most well-recognised parks, and a built-up residential area on the fringes of Liverpool, Sefton has a long-standing reputation among locals and visitors. There’s a dark undertone to that, though, with the area seeing 1,504 drug crimes over 2023/24. It’ll come as a relief to know that those statistics are 19% lower than the last year of data.
One of inner London’s most densely populated residential areas, and renowned for its sporting prowess with Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, it’s disheartening to see Islington make the list of the UK’s worst areas for drug crime. The stats show why that’s warranted, however, with the latest year of data uncovering 1,180 drug offences – more than 3 every day.
Famed for its ultra-modern MediaCity, the borough of Salford couples the traditionality of Greater Manchester with that cutting-edge tech. Salford harbours a dark secret in its drug crime, however, with the most recent batch of data revealing that the region saw 1,502 separate offences in the last year alone.
A major metropolitan area with a rich history in sports, culture and arts, Leicester’s reputation often precedes it. With the latest figures, however, it’ll perhaps have to add its renown for drug crime to that list. Leicester saw 2,059 drug offences over the last year alone – an increase of 10% over last year.
One of London’s more affluent areas, tied with the opulence and wealth of the city’s upper echelons, Kensington & Chelsea’s place among the UK’s worst drug crime hotspots shouldn’t be a surprise. The area’s 806 drug offences further compound it’s spot among London’s most dangerous areas.
Scotland’s largest city outside of the major tourist hubs, Aberdeen’s sporting prowess has since faded to afford a more metropolitan backdrop for its residents. That does little to mask the city’s ongoing issues with drug crime, with last year seeing a 1,246 offences, or more than 3 each day.
Lodged at the eastern outskirts of the capital, and a host borough for London’s infamous 20-12 Olympics, Barking & Dagenham’s glittering exterior is marred slightly by the region’s ongoing issues with drug crime. Last year alone saw 1,242 drug offences, but that’s still 20% better than 2022/23.
Arguably England’s most famous coastal city, and very often twinned with its neighbour Portsmouth across the Solent, it’ll come as no surprise to those in the know that Southampton experiences issues with drug crime. Last year alone saw 1,472 drug offences – a rise of over 18% when compared with last year.
Home to the sprawling towns of both Runcorn and Widnes, the Cheshire borough of Halton is more closely tied to those roots in industry than its more modern reputation for drug crimes. However, last year’s 729 drug offences are more than enough to see Halton fall into the worst areas for drug crime across the UK.
From its immediately apparent sense of history and culture, to its contributions to London’s bustling sporting scene, Haringey has much to draw in the crowds. Less of a draw, however, is the borough’s soaring figures in drug crime, which last year sat at 1,532 separate offences – a welcome dip of 14% compared with the previous set of data.
While Tower Hamlets is most known for the iconic Tower Bridge and Spitalfields, there’s a less publicised side to the borough regarding its grapples with economic deprivation, poverty and unemployment. That’s led to a disproportionate amount of drug crime, with Tower Hamlets seeing 1,921 drug offences over the last year.
One of Greater Manchester’s more infamous market towns, Bury is perhaps more closely associated with its roots in architecture and the arts than with its ongoing issues with drug crime. However, that could be set to change with the town seeing 1,191 drug offences over the last year – over 3 drug offences each day.
Iconic in both its market and that signature graffiti on the overpass, Camden’s contributions to the worlds of arts and culture cannot be understated. That’s in stark contrast to its issues with illegal substances, though. Last year alone saw 1,339 drug offences, although the fall by 3% compared with last year is a welcome addition.
Synonymous with its champion rugby team, and fast becoming popular as a commuter town into Liverpool, St Helens is the first of three Merseyside locations to make the 10 worst areas for drug crime in the UK. A deeper dive reveals that last year saw 1,157 drug offences, and a substantial rise of 22% over the previous year.
Cemented into British myth and legend with Robin Hood and the adjacent Sherwood Forest, Nottingham’s past splendour does little to mask the city’s pressing issue with drug crime. The headline statistic is that Nottingham saw 2,114 drug offences in the last year alone, although there’s a glimmer of hope in that this represents an 8% dip when compared with 2022/23.
Home to Loch Lomond and the leafy canopies of the Trossachs National Park, you’d be forgiven for not expecting this sleepy area of central Scotland to earn a place among the UK’s worst areas for drug crime. However, with such a small population, and 107 drug offences in the last year alone, it’s easy to see why it lands as highly as it does.
On the cusp of the Firth of Clyde, Inverclyde is a resplendent corner of Scotland, with the main town of Greenock offering spectacular vistas across the North Sea. Despite that picturesque locale, the town’s ongoing issues with drug crime (69 offences in the last year) paint an entirely different picture.
One of the North East’s most vibrant towns, and a bastion for multiculturalism and arts in the area, Middlesbrough wouldn’t be the first place many think of when it comes to issues with narcotics. But with 1,951 drug offences in 2023 – a rise of 13% over the previous year’s – there’s naturally cause for concern.
Arguably one of the least surprising entries on this list, especially given Scotland’s second-largest city’s ongoing issues with drugs, Glasgow’s recent renaissance hasn’t yet done enough to banish the city’s past. Last year still saw a startling 5,547 drug offences, or the equivalent of around 15 drug crimes every single day.
Often viewed as the capital of the North, and a shimmering metropolitan hub in its own right, there’s little to be said about Manchester that’s not already been committed to the written or spoken word. Less mentioned is the city’s issues with illegal substances, with 2023 into 2024 seeing 4,758 drug offences – up by 38%.
While many often think of the nationally-renowned safari park when discussing Knowsley, the town’s issues with narcotics and illegal substances are fast becoming an equal part of that reputation. Last year saw 1,320 drug offences – a shocking rate that puts it far above almost every other in both Merseyside and the UK as a whole.
A bastion of culture, musical contributions and sporting prowess, the city of Liverpool’s claims to fame are far too numerous to name. What’s less shouted about, however, is the ongoing problems that Liverpudlians face with drug crime. The last year alone saw 6,093 drug offences – a rate of around 17 drug offences every single day.
Officially the worst area in the UK for drug crime, Westminster is – in spite of its obvious touristic draws and incredible attractions – a concern. Routinely topping the most dangerous areas of London, the borough saw 2,649 drug offences in addition to the myriad issues with crime it faces.
Of course, while we’ve examined the worst areas for drug crime across the UK, we’re still only a partial picture of the issues the country faces. Indeed, with some areas – especially those with a smaller population – those figures seem quite small in comparison to larger, more built-up towns and cities.
By looking at percentages instead, we’re able to analyse the state of drug offences in the UK in more detail. For instance, taking the country as a whole, we find that drug crime has risen by 1% – going from 179,467 drug offences in year ending March 2023 to 181,421 drug offences in year ending March 2024 (the most recent batch of data).
A closer inspection finds incredibly concerning rises across a number of different areas. Adur in West Sussex saw the largest rise at 78%, going from 67 to 119 drug offences. There were equally concerning rises across South Lakeland (up by 73%, from 182 to 314 drug offences) and Barrow-in-Furness (up by 66%, from 158 to 262 drug offences).
It isn’t all grim reading, however. Welsh drug crime seems to have seen the largest fall-off, with several key regions all seeing substantial decreases. Carmarthenshire, for instance, saw a 50% reduction in its drug crime, falling from 871 drug offences (year ending March 2023) to 436 (year ending March 2024).
That’s closely followed by two further Welsh areas, both of which saw a 46% decrease in their drug crime. Flintshire’s drug offences went from 352 in year ending March 2023, to a much lower 190 in year ending March 2024, while Powys’ number of drug crimes fell from 418 to 225.
In the interests of being as clear and as thorough as possible in how we present our data, we’ve used data sourced directly from the Office of National Statistics. This covers a period between 1st April 2023 and March 31st 2024 – the most up-to-date batch of data we’ve got access to.
We’ve then opted to portray this as a number of drug offences per 1,000 people living in the area. While larger cities undoubtedly have higher figures in drug crime, smaller towns and cities can still feel the pinch, and having this represented as a ratio allows us to take into consideration key variables like population.
