Cocaine-related crimes have increased in Britain alongside a significant rise in the drug’s consumption, according to recent data from police forces and government sources. An analysis of law enforcement records since 2019 shows a 10% rise in crimes linked to cocaine, while government estimates indicate a 26% surge in cocaine use across sites in England since 2021.

Cocaine, a potent stimulant known to cause euphoria, overconfidence, restlessness, and paranoia, has been identified as a contributing factor in a range of criminal activities, including assaults, domestic abuse, and dangerous driving. Experts warn that the drug’s effects can exacerbate already tense situations, potentially escalating violence.

Analysis of wastewater data suggests that over 123,000 kilograms of cocaine were consumed in England during 2024-25, representing approximately 2.5 billion doses and a street value approaching £10 billion. Police recorded nearly 30,000 incidents mentioning cocaine in 2025, an increase from 57.7 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 63.4 per 100,000 in 2025. Early figures for 2026 point to a further rise, potentially reaching 64 cases per 100,000 people.

Martin Gallagher, a former police officer and organised crime expert, described cocaine use as having become normalized, noting a shift from its previous association with higher social classes to widespread availability.

While the majority of cocaine-associated crimes last year involved drug offenses, violent crimes accounted for 18%, which included stalking, harassment, and one murder case. Sexual offenses made up nearly 4% of incidents mentioning cocaine, including 344 reported rapes. Data from the Home Office’s drug test on arrest program found that nearly 60% of individuals tested following domestic abuse arrests had cocaine in their systems. However, officials caution that a positive test does not necessarily indicate cocaine was involved in the offense itself, as some mentions in police records may relate to background information rather than direct involvement.

Road safety data reveals that drug-driving offenses surpassed drink-driving for the first time in 2025. There were 30,707 drug-driving offenses recorded that year, up 28% from 2022, compared with 29,769 drink-driving offenses, which fell 17%. Cocaine and cannabis are the most commonly detected illegal substances in road fatalities. Research also shows that drug drivers are more likely to reoffend than those convicted of drink-driving, suggesting a pattern of repeat offenses.

Paul Court, deputy chief constable and deputy lead for drugs at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, emphasized the ties between drug demand and organized crime, warning that enforcement alone cannot address the issue. He highlighted the need for comprehensive strategies focused on reducing demand, providing support for those with drug dependency, and preventing drug use initiation.

An independent report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs criticized the UK for lacking a cohesive drug prevention framework with dedicated funding, despite international evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of such programs.

Academic experts note that while scientific studies have not established a direct causal link between cocaine and violent behavior, the drug’s intoxication effects can intensify incidents of domestic violence by increasing loss of control, jealousy, and conflict severity.

Data in this analysis was compiled from responses by 39 of the UK’s 45 police forces under the Freedom of Information Act, though not all provided complete year-on-year or crime-type breakdowns. The Metropolitan Police of London were unable to supply data. Records were derived from keyword searches of police notes, with some drug tests conducted only after initial suspicion of drug involvement.