The West Midlands is seeing promising progress in the fight against drug-related crime, as recent data reveals a notable decrease in offences linked to drugs. According to the West Midlands Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (WMCDAP) Progress Report 2025, drug-related neighborhood crimes—including burglary, vehicle theft, and robbery—fell sharply from 1,096 to 887 over the last 12 months.
The borough of Solihull marked an outstanding 48.1% reduction in such crimes during the same period, underscoring the effectiveness of coordinated strategies across the region.
Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and chair of the WMCDAP, welcomed the findings but emphasized that the fight is far from over. WMCDAP is a multi-agency collaboration involving law enforcement, treatment providers, and prevention experts committed to tackling the root causes of drug-related offenses.
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The report also highlighted improvements in law enforcement outcomes: the proportion of drug offences resulting in positive action—such as charges, cautions, or diversions—increased to 67.9%, up from 54.2% the previous year.
Encouragingly, registered drug-poisoning deaths in the region dropped by 11.2%, from 295 to 262 cases. Meanwhile, access to life-saving drug and alcohol support surged in areas like Walsall and Dudley, with increases of 13.1% and 12.6%, respectively.
Police efforts over the last year have led to the closure of six county lines and the seizure of more than 21 kilograms of illegal drugs. Moreover, offences related to drug trafficking declined by 14.3%.
Simon Foster stated, “This report confirms that our coordinated approach to tackling the root causes of drug-related crime is bearing fruit. A near 20% reduction in drug-related neighborhood crimes means fewer victims and safer communities.”
He cautioned against complacency, adding, “While these gains are encouraging, our commitment remains unwavering. Our Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029 prioritizes reducing harm from illegal drugs and alcohol through enforcement, treatment, and prevention.”
Through leadership of WMCDAP, Foster stressed the importance of disrupting criminal networks, supporting recovery services, and ultimately saving lives while making the West Midlands a safer place for all residents.