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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Michael Goodier and Robyn Vinter

Cocaine-linked crimes on the rise in Britain as consumption surges

Graphic showing close-up of wrists in handcuffs, with hands holding a bag of cocaine.
Most cocaine-associated crimes last year were drug offences, but 18% were violent crimes. Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images

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.

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