302 local authorities · 12 months to June 2026

Highest police-recorded drugs rates

Local authorities in England and Wales ranked by drugs offences recorded by the police per 1,000 residents. England and Wales: 3.4 per 1,000. A high recorded rate is not a measure of how dangerous an area is; see the caveat below.

#Local authorityPer 1,000Offences12-month changevs England & Wales
1City of LondonCity of London Police30.6479▲ 25.1%+800%
2LiverpoolMerseyside Police15.17,685▲ 10.4%+344%
3WestminsterMetropolitan Police Service14.53,075▲ 37.8%+326%
4IslingtonMetropolitan Police Service8.71,944▲ 13.8%+156%
5KnowsleyMerseyside Police8.21,349▲ 0.1%+141%
6HackneyMetropolitan Police Service8.12,150▲ 11.6%+138%
7Kensington and ChelseaMetropolitan Police Service8.11,181▲ 28.2%+138%
8Tower HamletsMetropolitan Police Service8.12,692▲ 13.1%+138%
9BrentMetropolitan Police Service7.72,709▲ 31.7%+126%
10CamdenMetropolitan Police Service7.31,578▲ 3.7%+115%
11DerbyDerbyshire Constabulary7.21,971▲ 38.3%+112%
12MiddlesbroughCleveland Police7.21,105▼ 0.7%+112%
13St. HelensMerseyside Police7.11,354▲ 8.1%+109%
14NewhamMetropolitan Police Service6.72,516▼ 6.9%+97%
15Hammersmith and FulhamMetropolitan Police Service6.31,199▼ 6.8%+85%
16HaringeyMetropolitan Police Service6.11,613▼ 7.6%+79%
17NottinghamNottinghamshire Police6.01,967▼ 6.8%+76%
18SouthwarkMetropolitan Police Service6.01,880▼ 3.5%+76%
19Barking and DagenhamMetropolitan Police Service5.81,378▲ 1%+71%
20BradfordWest Yorkshire Police5.83,261▲ 25.2%+71%
21EnfieldMetropolitan Police Service5.81,896▼ 0.4%+71%
22Waltham ForestMetropolitan Police Service5.81,638▲ 1.3%+71%
23GreenwichMetropolitan Police Service5.71,708▼ 4.8%+68%
24HarlowEssex Police5.6554▼ 2.3%+65%
25LewishamMetropolitan Police Service5.61,681▼ 13.4%+65%
26CrawleySussex Police5.5681▲ 9.8%+62%
27LambethMetropolitan Police Service5.51,734▼ 5.9%+62%
28SeftonMerseyside Police5.51,568▼ 8.9%+62%
29PeterboroughCambridgeshire Constabulary5.31,186▲ 89.8%+56%
30CroydonMetropolitan Police Service5.22,113▼ 16.7%+53%
31HartlepoolCleveland Police5.2517▲ 9.8%+53%
32Southend-on-SeaEssex Police5.2971▲ 11.4%+53%
33BlackpoolLancashire Constabulary5.1732▲ 5.2%+50%
34SouthamptonHampshire Constabulary5.11,310▲ 1.6%+50%
35Brighton and HoveSussex Police5.01,412▲ 4%+47%
36EastbourneSussex Police5.0522▲ 48.7%+47%
37CambridgeCambridgeshire Constabulary4.9731▲ 150.3%+44%
38HaltonCheshire Constabulary4.9650▲ 1.7%+44%
39ThanetKent Police4.9697▲ 13.9%+44%
40EalingMetropolitan Police Service4.81,877▲ 23.6%+41%
41HillingdonMetropolitan Police Service4.81,583▲ 39.5%+41%
42LeicesterLeicestershire Police4.81,822▼ 1%+41%
43LutonBedfordshire Police4.81,128▲ 25.8%+41%
44PortsmouthHampshire Constabulary4.7984▼ 4.5%+38%
45HaveringMetropolitan Police Service4.61,295▲ 6.6%+35%
46ThurrockEssex Police4.6837▲ 24%+35%
47HounslowMetropolitan Police Service4.51,339▲ 10.4%+32%
48CalderdaleWest Yorkshire Police4.4931▼ 0.2%+29%
49LeedsWest Yorkshire Police4.43,698▲ 19.9%+29%
50WirralMerseyside Police4.41,436▼ 15.5%+29%
51BasildonEssex Police4.3837▲ 32.9%+26%
52WatfordHertfordshire Constabulary4.3464▲ 73.8%+26%
53BarnetMetropolitan Police Service4.21,704▼ 0.3%+24%
54HertsmereHertfordshire Constabulary4.2460▲ 35.7%+24%
55Kingston upon ThamesMetropolitan Police Service4.2720▲ 19.6%+24%
56OxfordThames Valley Police4.2702▼ 16.7%+24%
57StevenageHertfordshire Constabulary4.2385▲ 63.8%+24%
58BirminghamWest Midlands Police4.14,832▲ 8.2%+21%
59PrestonLancashire Constabulary4.1669▲ 23.2%+21%
60CeredigionDyfed-Powys Police4.0288▼ 24.6%+18%
61Folkestone and HytheKent Police4.0454▲ 26.8%+18%
62HastingsSussex Police4.0361▲ 24.9%+18%
63NorwichNorfolk Constabulary4.0580▲ 12.4%+18%
64Stockton-on-TeesCleveland Police4.0832▼ 6%+18%
65Stoke-on-TrentStaffordshire Police4.01,088▲ 22.8%+18%
66ChelmsfordEssex Police3.9741▲ 9%+15%
67MansfieldNottinghamshire Police3.9444▲ 10.7%+15%
68SheffieldSouth Yorkshire Police3.92,249▼ 0.2%+15%
69SloughThames Valley Police3.9657▲ 23%+15%
70BrentwoodEssex Police3.8308▲ 6.6%+12%
71CanterburyKent Police3.8620▼ 1.9%+12%
72KirkleesWest Yorkshire Police3.81,702▲ 7.8%+12%
73North East LincolnshireHumberside Police3.8609▲ 30.7%+12%
74SandwellWest Midlands Police3.81,324▲ 32.9%+12%
75WandsworthMetropolitan Police Service3.81,303▲ 19.4%+12%
76WarringtonCheshire Constabulary3.8822▼ 4.3%+12%
77BedfordBedfordshire Police3.7724▲ 29.7%+9%
78BromleyMetropolitan Police Service3.71,234▲ 14.2%+9%
79Epping ForestEssex Police3.7514▲ 11%+9%
80MedwayKent Police3.71,077▲ 3%+9%
81RedbridgeMetropolitan Police Service3.71,201▲ 3.7%+9%
82Redcar and ClevelandCleveland Police3.7511▼ 1.4%+9%
83Westmorland and FurnessCumbria Constabulary3.7847▼ 8.7%+9%
84BexleyMetropolitan Police Service3.6938▲ 5.6%+6%
85CumberlandCumbria Constabulary3.61,014▼ 1.3%+6%
86HarrowMetropolitan Police Service3.6970▲ 29.7%+6%
87RunnymedeSurrey Police3.6336▼ 32.1%+6%
88DartfordKent Police3.5440▼ 12.4%+3%
89Epsom and EwellSurrey Police3.5288▲ 74.5%+3%
90SwanseaSouth Wales Police3.5877▼ 6.6%+3%
91WakefieldWest Yorkshire Police3.51,297▲ 3.1%+3%
92DoncasterSouth Yorkshire Police3.41,091▼ 29.9%0%
93Kingston upon Hull, City ofHumberside Police3.4923▲ 27.5%0%
94MaidstoneKent Police3.4648▲ 9.5%0%
95Welwyn HatfieldHertfordshire Constabulary3.4408▲ 45.7%0%
96Blackburn with DarwenLancashire Constabulary3.3533▲ 23.1%-3%
97BurnleyLancashire Constabulary3.3332▲ 0.3%-3%
98GraveshamKent Police3.3364▼ 50.6%-3%
99Cheshire EastCheshire Constabulary3.21,364▲ 38.6%-6%
100Merthyr TydfilSouth Wales Police3.2186▲ 6.9%-6%
101NewportGwent Police3.2544▼ 15.1%-6%
102PlymouthDevon & Cornwall Police3.2878▼ 32%-6%
103SpelthorneSurrey Police3.2339▲ 2.4%-6%
104TorbayDevon & Cornwall Police3.2449▼ 34%-6%
105Bristol, City ofAvon and Somerset Constabulary3.11,538▲ 19.4%-9%
106CardiffSouth Wales Police3.11,201▼ 17%-9%
107DenbighshireNorth Wales Police3.1309▲ 6.2%-9%
108Milton KeynesThames Valley Police3.1943▲ 5.1%-9%
109Newcastle upon TyneNorthumbria Police3.11,010▼ 36.4%-9%
110SuttonMetropolitan Police Service3.1662▲ 7.3%-9%
111CarmarthenshireDyfed-Powys Police3.0573▼ 13.4%-12%
112ChesterfieldDerbyshire Constabulary3.0324▲ 2.9%-12%
113ExeterDevon & Cornwall Police3.0412▼ 12%-12%
114MertonMetropolitan Police Service3.0655▼ 5.6%-12%
115North NorthamptonshireNorthamptonshire Police3.01,149▼ 18.5%-12%
116PowysDyfed-Powys Police3.0398▲ 4.2%-12%
117ReadingThames Valley Police3.0546▲ 25.8%-12%
118BroxbourneHertfordshire Constabulary2.9298▲ 48.3%-15%
119CoventryWest Midlands Police2.91,062▲ 7.5%-15%
120Great YarmouthNorfolk Constabulary2.9296▼ 6%-15%
121Isle of WightHampshire Constabulary2.9404▲ 3.1%-15%
122North LincolnshireHumberside Police2.9489▲ 40.5%-15%
123Telford and WrekinWest Mercia Police2.9586▲ 1.7%-15%
124WalsallWest Midlands Police2.9865▲ 16.7%-15%
125CaerphillyGwent Police2.8492▲ 6.3%-18%
126Cheshire West and ChesterCheshire Constabulary2.81,059▲ 22.6%-18%
127HuntingdonshireCambridgeshire Constabulary2.8547▲ 44.7%-18%
128Reigate and BansteadSurrey Police2.8442▲ 20.8%-18%
129BarnsleySouth Yorkshire Police2.7694▲ 15.5%-21%
130East StaffordshireStaffordshire Police2.7360▲ 57.9%-21%
131GosportHampshire Constabulary2.7221▲ 7.8%-21%
132IpswichSuffolk Constabulary2.7376▲ 0.8%-21%
133LincolnLincolnshire Police2.7284▼ 6.9%-21%
134PembrokeshireDyfed-Powys Police2.7343▼ 21.9%-21%
135StaffordStaffordshire Police2.7384▲ 14.6%-21%
136West NorthamptonshireNorthamptonshire Police2.71,191▼ 25%-21%
137WinchesterHampshire Constabulary2.7366▼ 1.3%-21%
138WorthingSussex Police2.7310▲ 1%-21%
139DoverKent Police2.6319▼ 6.7%-24%
140FenlandCambridgeshire Constabulary2.6277▲ 28.8%-24%
141TorfaenGwent Police2.6242▲ 15.8%-24%
142WrexhamNorth Wales Police2.6361▲ 24.5%-24%
143Amber ValleyDerbyshire Constabulary2.5331▲ 6.4%-26%
144AshfordKent Police2.5351▲ 7.3%-26%
145Cannock ChaseStaffordshire Police2.5262▲ 25.4%-26%
146ColchesterEssex Police2.5503▲ 0.4%-26%
147ConwyNorth Wales Police2.5289▲ 37.6%-26%
148ErewashDerbyshire Constabulary2.5279▲ 21.8%-26%
149GuildfordSurrey Police2.5375▲ 5.6%-26%
150HyndburnLancashire Constabulary2.5218▲ 1.4%-26%
151LancasterLancashire Constabulary2.5370▲ 2.8%-26%
152WolverhamptonWest Midlands Police2.5693▲ 7.1%-26%
153YorkNorth Yorkshire Police2.5531▲ 24.1%-26%
154DacorumHertfordshire Constabulary2.4396▲ 65.7%-29%
155East HertfordshireHertfordshire Constabulary2.4378▲ 64.3%-29%
156GwyneddNorth Wales Police2.4287▲ 8.7%-29%
157Newcastle-under-LymeStaffordshire Police2.4311▲ 11.1%-29%
158St AlbansHertfordshire Constabulary2.4357▲ 100.6%-29%
159SwaleKent Police2.4390▲ 12.7%-29%
160Three RiversHertfordshire Constabulary2.4230▲ 100%-29%
161Windsor and MaidenheadThames Valley Police2.4380▼ 30.1%-29%
162WorcesterWest Mercia Police2.4256▼ 1.9%-29%
163Wyre ForestWest Mercia Police2.4248▲ 41.7%-29%
164ArunSussex Police2.3399▲ 27.9%-32%
165AshfieldNottinghamshire Police2.3303▼ 12.7%-32%
166Blaenau GwentGwent Police2.3157▼ 7.1%-32%
167BostonLincolnshire Police2.3165▼ 22.9%-32%
168BuckinghamshireThames Valley Police2.31,356▲ 30.6%-32%
169ElmbridgeSurrey Police2.3328▲ 4.8%-32%
170PendleLancashire Constabulary2.3235▲ 47.8%-32%
171RotherhamSouth Yorkshire Police2.3645▼ 16.5%-32%
172WyreLancashire Constabulary2.3279▲ 13.4%-32%
173BraintreeEssex Police2.2369▼ 8.2%-35%
174BridgendSouth Wales Police2.2326▼ 20.3%-35%
175County DurhamDurham Constabulary2.21,196▲ 0.7%-35%
176MaldonEssex Police2.2156▲ 6.1%-35%
177Rhondda Cynon TafSouth Wales Police2.2534▼ 11.6%-35%
178Richmond upon ThamesMetropolitan Police Service2.2436▼ 32.9%-35%
179SwindonWiltshire Police2.2536▼ 9.5%-35%
180TamworthStaffordshire Police2.2177▲ 13.5%-35%
181TendringEssex Police2.2350▲ 8%-35%
182BolsoverDerbyshire Constabulary2.1176▼ 3.8%-38%
183Central BedfordshireBedfordshire Police2.1679▲ 71.9%-38%
184High PeakDerbyshire Constabulary2.1190▲ 35.7%-38%
185King's Lynn and West NorfolkNorfolk Constabulary2.1336▼ 11.1%-38%
186BassetlawNottinghamshire Police2.0250▼ 4.9%-41%
187Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleDorset Police2.0822▲ 35.4%-41%
188Bracknell ForestThames Valley Police2.0258▲ 26.5%-41%
189Isle of AngleseyNorth Wales Police2.0138▼ 12.7%-41%
190LewesSussex Police2.0208▲ 35.9%-41%
191Neath Port TalbotSouth Wales Police2.0282▼ 26%-41%
192RushmoorHampshire Constabulary2.0210▼ 4.1%-41%
193SevenoaksKent Police2.0252▼ 6%-41%
194TandridgeSurrey Police2.0179▼ 39.7%-41%
195Tonbridge and MallingKent Police2.0282▼ 6%-41%
196UttlesfordEssex Police2.0197▲ 1.5%-41%
197West BerkshireThames Valley Police2.0325▼ 23.9%-41%
198West SuffolkSuffolk Constabulary2.0372▼ 7%-41%
199Castle PointEssex Police1.9171▲ 4.3%-44%
200DudleyWest Midlands Police1.9651▲ 28.7%-44%
201GatesheadNorthumbria Police1.9386▼ 31.4%-44%
202MeltonLeicestershire Police1.9104▲ 3%-44%
203Nuneaton and BedworthWarwickshire Police1.9271▼ 15%-44%
204RochfordEssex Police1.9175▲ 38.9%-44%
205South StaffordshireStaffordshire Police1.9222▲ 5.7%-44%
206SunderlandNorthumbria Police1.9557▼ 41.1%-44%
207BrecklandNorfolk Constabulary1.8271▲ 19.9%-47%
208BroxtoweNottinghamshire Police1.8201▲ 0.5%-47%
209CherwellThames Valley Police1.8306▼ 5.6%-47%
210ChorleyLancashire Constabulary1.8223▲ 32.7%-47%
211Derbyshire DalesDerbyshire Constabulary1.8130▲ 9.2%-47%
212East HampshireHampshire Constabulary1.8231▲ 57.1%-47%
213GedlingNottinghamshire Police1.8222▼ 30.6%-47%
214HavantHampshire Constabulary1.8234▼ 19.9%-47%
215LichfieldStaffordshire Police1.8203▲ 53.8%-47%
216Mole ValleySurrey Police1.8164▲ 3.1%-47%
217North DevonDevon & Cornwall Police1.8178▼ 22.6%-47%
218North HertfordshireHertfordshire Constabulary1.8248▲ 36.3%-47%
219RedditchWest Mercia Police1.8161▲ 1.3%-47%
220RossendaleLancashire Constabulary1.8132▼ 3.6%-47%
221SolihullWest Midlands Police1.8402▼ 0.7%-47%
222South CambridgeshireCambridgeshire Constabulary1.8321▲ 129.3%-47%
223South DerbyshireDerbyshire Constabulary1.8218▼ 19%-47%
224South TynesideNorthumbria Police1.8279▼ 39.9%-47%
225Tunbridge WellsKent Police1.8221▲ 0.5%-47%
226WarwickWarwickshire Police1.8277▼ 6.7%-47%
227West LancashireLancashire Constabulary1.8217▲ 6.9%-47%
228WokingSurrey Police1.8190▼ 16.3%-47%
229Basingstoke and DeaneHampshire Constabulary1.7330▲ 2.5%-50%
230DarlingtonDurham Constabulary1.7197▼ 42.6%-50%
231Herefordshire, County ofWest Mercia Police1.7334▲ 6%-50%
232North TynesideNorthumbria Police1.7369▼ 31.2%-50%
233North YorkshireNorth Yorkshire Police1.71,111▲ 6.5%-50%
234Oadby and WigstonLeicestershire Police1.7102▲ 12.1%-50%
235RugbyWarwickshire Police1.7212▼ 28.9%-50%
236CharnwoodLeicestershire Police1.6306▲ 21.9%-53%
237FarehamHampshire Constabulary1.6190▲ 3.8%-53%
238FlintshireNorth Wales Police1.6242▲ 47.6%-53%
239MonmouthshireGwent Police1.6151▼ 16.6%-53%
240Test ValleyHampshire Constabulary1.6220▼ 20.9%-53%
241AdurSussex Police1.596▼ 12.7%-56%
242CornwallDevon & Cornwall Police1.5861▼ 14.5%-56%
243North East DerbyshireDerbyshire Constabulary1.5163▲ 35.8%-56%
244NorthumberlandNorthumbria Police1.5510▼ 31.4%-56%
245ShropshireWest Mercia Police1.5499▲ 21.7%-56%
246South GloucestershireAvon and Somerset Constabulary1.5473▲ 23.8%-56%
247Staffordshire MoorlandsStaffordshire Police1.5147▲ 70.9%-56%
248Surrey HeathSurrey Police1.5146▲ 20.7%-56%
249Vale of White HorseThames Valley Police1.5235▼ 16.4%-56%
250ChichesterSussex Police1.4181▼ 13.4%-59%
251East LindseyLincolnshire Police1.4207▼ 21.9%-59%
252EastleighHampshire Constabulary1.4202▲ 8.6%-59%
253Mid SussexSussex Police1.4226▲ 22.2%-59%
254North SomersetAvon and Somerset Constabulary1.4327▲ 24.3%-59%
255RushcliffeNottinghamshire Police1.4182▼ 22.9%-59%
256South RibbleLancashire Constabulary1.4166▲ 31.7%-59%
257Vale of GlamorganSouth Wales Police1.4187▼ 33%-59%
258WychavonWest Mercia Police1.4199▲ 49.6%-59%
259East Riding of YorkshireHumberside Police1.3452▲ 28.4%-62%
260East SuffolkSuffolk Constabulary1.3313▲ 0.3%-62%
261Hinckley and BosworthLeicestershire Police1.3154▼ 14%-62%
262Isles of ScillyDevon & Cornwall Police1.33→ 0%-62%
263Newark and SherwoodNottinghamshire Police1.3167▼ 17.3%-62%
264North West LeicestershireLeicestershire Police1.3152▲ 7%-62%
265WiltshireWiltshire Police1.3695▲ 9.3%-62%
266Bath and North East SomersetAvon and Somerset Constabulary1.2245▼ 8.6%-65%
267BromsgroveWest Mercia Police1.2123▲ 10.8%-65%
268East CambridgeshireCambridgeshire Constabulary1.2111▲ 33.7%-65%
269FyldeLancashire Constabulary1.2102▲ 13.3%-65%
270North WarwickshireWarwickshire Police1.283▼ 8.8%-65%
271RotherSussex Police1.2116▲ 5.5%-65%
272SomersetAvon and Somerset Constabulary1.2687▲ 8.9%-65%
273TeignbridgeDevon & Cornwall Police1.2162▼ 27.7%-65%
274West LindseyLincolnshire Police1.2116▼ 16.5%-65%
275BaberghSuffolk Constabulary1.1111▲ 8.8%-68%
276East DevonDevon & Cornwall Police1.1176▼ 21.8%-68%
277HorshamSussex Police1.1160▼ 19.2%-68%
278Mid SuffolkSuffolk Constabulary1.1126▲ 26%-68%
279North NorfolkNorfolk Constabulary1.1117▲ 64.8%-68%
280RutlandLeicestershire Police1.145▼ 2.2%-68%
281South KestevenLincolnshire Police1.1167▼ 18.9%-68%
282South OxfordshireThames Valley Police1.1170▼ 17.1%-68%
283WokinghamThames Valley Police1.1207▲ 4%-68%
284BlabyLeicestershire Police1.0108▲ 14.9%-71%
285HarboroughLeicestershire Police1.0103▲ 22.6%-71%
286HartHampshire Constabulary1.0102▲ 21.4%-71%
287New ForestHampshire Constabulary1.0179▼ 20.4%-71%
288South HollandLincolnshire Police1.0104▼ 22.4%-71%
289TorridgeDevon & Cornwall Police1.070▼ 38.6%-71%
290WealdenSussex Police1.0161▲ 27.8%-71%
291West OxfordshireThames Valley Police1.0123▼ 16.3%-71%
292DorsetDorset Police0.9350▲ 17.1%-74%
293Mid DevonDevon & Cornwall Police0.974▼ 26%-74%
294North KestevenLincolnshire Police0.9112▲ 21.7%-74%
295South NorfolkNorfolk Constabulary0.9129▲ 4.9%-74%
296WaverleySurrey Police0.9122▲ 20.8%-74%
297Ribble ValleyLancashire Constabulary0.854▼ 8.5%-76%
298Stratford-on-AvonWarwickshire Police0.8122▼ 10.3%-76%
299West DevonDevon & Cornwall Police0.849▼ 32.9%-76%
300Malvern HillsWest Mercia Police0.759▼ 16.9%-79%
301South HamsDevon & Cornwall Police0.767▼ 48.5%-79%
302BroadlandNorfolk Constabulary0.684▼ 6.7%-82%

Not ranked: force not currently supplying data

These areas have older data only. Their last complete 12-month window is shown; they are not compared with the current window above.

Important caveat

Police-recorded crime counts offences reported to and recorded by the police. It is affected by whether people report crime and by changes in police recording practice, so it does not measure all crime that happens. The Crime Survey for England and Wales is the better guide to long-term trends in the crimes it covers. Police recorded crime is not designated as National Statistics.

Rates use resident population as the denominator. Areas with many visitors, commuters or shops, such as city centres, record more offences per resident than the number of people present would suggest. Areas whose force did not supply a complete 12 months of data are left out. Population: ONS mid-year estimates, mid-2025.