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.
7. Harehills - Comptons, Sutherlands and Nowells
The Comptons, Sutherlands and Nowells neighbourhood in Harehills recorded 95 drug offences between May 2023 and April 2024 | National World Photo: National World
8. West Hunslet and Hunslet Hall
West Hunslet and Hunslet Hall recorded 82 drug crimes between May 2023 and April 2024 | Yorkshire Post Newspapers
9. Armley and New Wortley
Armley and New Wortley recorded 73 drugs offences between May 2023 and April 2024 | Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson
10. Holbeck
Holbeck recorded 71 drug offences between May 2023 and April 2024 | Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
11. Cross Green, East End Park and Richmond Hill
Cross Green, East End Park and Richmond Hill recorded 52 drug offences between May 2023 and April 2024 | Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson
12. Little London and Sheepscar
Little London and Sheepscar recorded 52 drugs offences between May 2023 and April 2024 | Jonathan Gawthorpe Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe