Cocaine-linked crimes on the rise in Britain as consumption surges
Recorded offences mentioning the drug up 10% since 2019, with wastewater analysis showing 123,000kg consumed in England last year
British police are recording a growing number of crimes linked to cocaine, including assaults, domestic abuse and dangerous driving, as figures show consumption has surged across England. A Guardian investigation has found police forces across Britain recorded a 10% rise in crime rates associated with the class A drug since 2019, while the Home Office estimates cocaine usage at sites across England has risen by 26% since 2021.