Labour Politicians Accused of Ignoring Drug-Related Crime Amid Record Killings

Recent analysis from the Office for National Statistics has revealed that a significant majority of last year’s 575 killings were linked to drugs. More than half of these deaths involved drug users or dealers, with detectives finding a connection to the drug trade in approximately 56% of the cases. Critics have urged Sir Keir Starmer's party to take a stronger stance on drug crimes, highlighting that weak policies are allowing drug-related offences to persist unchecked at the expense of broader law and order.

Political figures, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, argue for a zero-tolerance policy towards both drug dealing and use, alleging that politicians such as Sadiq Khan have historically neglected the severity of the issue. They believe that failing to clamp down on drug offences not only contributes to continual criminal activity but also ultimately fuels wider societal problems. In parallel, research has shown that nearly 30% of those suspected in murders were drug dealers, while regular drug use was common among nearly half of all suspects.

Further compounding the issue are recent figures from Border Force and police forces which indicate record-breaking seizures of drugs. A dramatic increase in the amount of cocaine, noted at 28 tonnes seized — a 52% rise from previous records — and herbal cannabis, with 74 tonnes intercepted, underscores the escalating drugs crisis in Britain. Officials have pointed out that this is the largest quantity of herbal cannabis recorded since data collection began in 1973, and cocaine production has reached record highs. The statistics, including the sustained trend of over 300 drug-linked killings per year since 2017, have reignited the debate over the need for a more aggressive approach towards gang-related drug trafficking and enforcement efforts.