Liverpool city centre has been officially named the drug crime capital of the UK, with a staggering 359 drug-related crimes reported in 2024.
This area, home to major landmarks like the Royal Albert Dock and Liverpool Central Station, has seen a rise in local gang activity controlling the illegal drug trade.
These figures, which reflect everything from possession to large-scale drug operations, indicate that the city is struggling to combat a growing criminal underworld.
Explosive Drug Crime Rates in Liverpool
The statistics paint a concerning picture: Liverpool city centre recorded a shocking 323 drug-related crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024.
This rate is the highest of any area in England and Wales.
The neighbouring district of Brownlow Hill, located near the University of Liverpool, also features high on the list, with 296 crimes per 1,000 residents.
These crime hotspots reflect an alarming prevalence of street dealing, drug use, and trafficking within the community.
Albanian Gangs and Local Drug Operations
While Albanian gangs are well-known for dominating the UK’s drug trade, particularly in cocaine and other hard substances, Liverpool’s drug scene is still heavily influenced by local criminals.
These gangsters have built long-standing connections within the community, which gives them a firm hold on the drug market in the region.
This control is evident in recent operations where drugs were smuggled in large quantities and sold locally through well-established networks.
Crime Mapping and Data Insights
A detailed analysis by MailOnline reveals drug crime rates across over 37,000 neighbourhoods in England and Wales, with an interactive map that allows users to explore specific areas.
By tapping on the map, you can view the total number of drug-related incidents in any given location, as well as the crime density per square mile.
Notably, Greater Manchester Police has not updated its crime data since July 2019, leaving a gap in the information available.
National Response and Police Efforts
Despite the overwhelming crime rates, local police forces are ramping up efforts to curb drug-related activities.
Superintendent Tony Fairhurst of Merseyside Police highlighted the force’s high-visibility patrols, especially in the city’s nightlife districts, to deter street dealing.
He pointed out that Liverpool has managed to maintain its reputation as one of the safest cities in the UK for a night out, with drug-related incidents being comparatively low given the city’s bustling nightlife.
Government and Public Health Initiatives
Liverpool’s City Council is also taking steps to address the issue by launching a new community drug and alcohol service in April 2025.
This service is designed to support individuals affected by drug misuse and aims to build on existing local provisions to tackle the underlying causes of drug abuse in the area.
Professor Mathew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool, noted that the city faces similar challenges to other urban areas but is committed to reducing drug harm through new public health initiatives.
Other UK Areas with High Drug Crime Rates
While Liverpool’s city centre holds the grim distinction of being the UK’s drug crime capital, other areas are also seeing troubling trends.
Leicester Square and Covent Garden in London have the third highest drug crime rate, with 235 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Other cities, such as Halifax and Bradford, also feature high on the list for drug-related incidents, with their central areas being hotspots for gang activity.
The Growing Role of Children in the Drug Trade
One alarming trend that has emerged in the UK is the increasing involvement of children in the drug trade.
Reports have suggested that gangs are recruiting children to deliver drugs, often using bicycles to transport them across neighborhoods.
This practice has raised significant concern among authorities, with police actively targeting these vulnerable recruits and dismantling gangs that exploit them.
Regional Differences in Drug Crime Control
In areas such as Birmingham, the drug trade is largely controlled by Pakistani heroin traffickers, who maintain a stronghold on the heroin market.
The National Crime Agency has targeted these networks, with major drug busts taking place in recent months.
Birmingham’s proximity to international drug routes has made it a critical point for heroin smuggling, with gangs using air freight to bring large quantities of drugs into the UK.
The Fight Against Organised Crime in Merseyside
Despite the dominance of local gangs in the Merseyside drug trade, law enforcement continues to target these criminal organizations.
Recent convictions, such as that of Eddie Burton and Sian Banks for their involvement in a multi-million-pound drug smuggling operation, show that authorities are cracking down on the networks supplying Liverpool and the surrounding areas.
The partnership between Merseyside Police, the National Crime Agency, and the North West Regional Crime Unit is proving effective in tackling organised crime and disrupting illicit drug operations.
These efforts highlight the ongoing battle against drug-related crime in Liverpool and the broader UK, as authorities continue to push back against local and international gangs working to flood the streets with illegal substances.