Cocaine-linked crimes rise 10% in Britain as consumption surges 26%, police data shows

British police are recording a growing number of crimes linked to cocaine, including assaults, domestic abuse and dangerous driving, as new figures reveal a surge in consumption across England. A Guardian investigation found that police forces across Britain logged a 10% rise in crime rates associated with the class A drug since 2019, while Home Office estimates show cocaine usage at monitored sites in England has jumped by 26% since 2021. Wastewater analysis suggests people in England took roughly 2.5 billion lines of the drug in a single year, underscoring the scale of the habit. The data also points to ageing users and record deaths, with Britain's cocaine market now worth an estimated £9.8 billion annually. The findings highlight how cocaine has become an everyday presence in pubs, festivals and workplaces, driving a rise in drug-related offences that stretches police resources and fuels violence. As consumption climbs, authorities face mounting pressure to tackle both supply and the social harms tied to the drug.