Drug-related crime has dropped across the West Midlands, latest figures show

The West Midlands Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (WMCDAP) Progress Report 2025, published this month, shows that drug-related neighbourhood offences – including burglary, vehicle theft and robbery – fell from 1,096 to 887 in a 12-month period last year.

Further data showed Solihull had recorded a 48.1 per cent reduction in these offences during the same period.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has welcomed the findings but warned more work is needed.

Mr Foster is the chair of the West Midlands Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership, a multi-agency board made up of enforcement, treatment and prevention partners.

Other statistics showed the proportion of drug offences resulting in a positive outcome – such as a charge, caution or diversion – has increased to 67.9 per cent, up from 54.2 per cent the previous year.

Registered drug-poisoning deaths across the West Midlands area fell by 11.2 per cent (from 295 to 262).

Areas such as Walsall and Dudley saw double-digit percentage increases (13.1 per cent and 12.6 per cent respectively in the number of people accessing life-saving drug and alcohol support

In the last year alone, police operations closed six county lines and seized over 21 kilograms of illegal substances. Also, trafficking of drugs offences dropped by 14.3 per cent.

West Midlands PCC Simon Foster said: “This report provides clear evidence that our coordinated approach to tackling the root causes of drug-related crime is working.

“A near 20 per cent reduction in drug-related neighbourhood crime means fewer victims of burglary, robbery, and vehicle theft in our communities.

“However, although this is welcome, we cannot and we never will be complacent.

“In my Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029, I have made a clear and steadfast commitment to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs and alcohol.

“Disruption and enforcement are essential, but it is also about breaking the cycle of crime by ensuring people can access the treatment and recovery services they need.

“By continuing to lead, through our West Midlands Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership, we are not only tackling crime, by taking dealers off our streets and dismantling criminal networks, we are also saving lives and making our region a safer place for everyone.”