Half of all murders drug-related for 5th year in a row

Analysing Home Office data, the Office for National Statistics found that 1,640 of the 3,062 murders April 2019-March 2024 were linked to drugs. 56% of all murders last year involved drug users, dealers or were related to drugs: the highest proportion in a decade. Between April 2021-March 2024, 49% of all victims were either using or selling drugs.