There are four main offences associated with illegal drugs in England and Wales – possession, supply, production and importation. Controlled drugs are classed according to their relative degree of overall harm from misuse. There are three classes of controlled drugs – A, B and C. The class of drug a person is caught possessing, supplying or producing affects the severity of the offence.
The latest West Yorkshire Police data, made available on Leeds Observatory, shows every offence related to drugs in Leeds from May 2023 to April 2024 that was not later cancelled. There were 3,266 crimes of this nature recorded across the city during the 12 month period.
These are the Leeds neighbourhoods with the most drugs crime, listed in descending order. All images are for illustrative purposes and do not represent a specific incident or location.
1. City centre
Leeds city centre recorded 439 drug crimes between May 2023 and April 2024 | Asadour Guzelian Photo: Asadour Guzelian
2. Beeston Millshaw, Elland Road and Cottingley
Beeston Millshaw, Elland Road and Cottingley recorded 213 drug crimes between May 2023 and April 2024 | Yorkshire Post Newspapers
3. Harehills
Harehills recorded 147 drug crimes in the 12 months between May 2023 and April 2024 | SWNS Photo: SWNS
4. Lincoln Green and Ebor Gardens
Lincoln Green and Ebor Gardens recorded 122 drug crimes in the most recent year | James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
5. Harehills Triangle
Harehills Triangle recorded 120 drug offences betwen May 2023 and April 2024 | SWNS Photo: Dan Rowlands / SWNS.com
6. Beeston Hill
Beeston Hill recorded 1114 drug crimes between May 2023 and April 2024 | Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson