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.

Cocaine is a powerful and addictive stimulant that causes euphoria, overconfidence, restlessness and paranoia. Experts have warned its use can cause already fraught situations to escalate, potentially leading to violent incidents.

The rise in consumption in recent years can be partly explained by historically low costs, while purity levels have remained high. Analysis of wastewater suggests people in England consumed 123,000kg of cocaine in 2024-25.…