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 March 2023 to February 2024 that was not later cancelled. There were 3,270 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. Armley, New Wortley
Armley and New Wortley recorded 75 drug related offences between October 2023 and September 2024 | National World
8. West Hunslet and Hunslet Hall
West Hunslet and Hunslet Hall recorded 75 drug related offences between October 2023 and September 2024 | Yorkshire Post Newspapers
9. Harehills - Comptons, Sutherlands and Nowells
The Comptons, Sutherlands and Nowells neighbourhoods within Harehills recorded 68 drug offences between October 2023 and September 2024 | Yorkshire Post Newspapers
10. Holbeck
Holbeck recorded 59 drug offences between October 2023 and September 2024 | National World
11. Cross Green, East End Park and Richmond Hill
Cross Green, East End Park and Richmond Hill recorded 52 drug offences between October 2023 and September 2024 | Tony Johnson Photo: Tony Johnson
12. Chapeltown
Chapeltown recorded 49 drug offences between October 2023 and September 2024 | Simon Hulme Photo: Simon Hulme