Yorkshire police saw a 10 per cent rise in drugs seized last year as figures reveal region's officers hauled nearly 40,000 cannabis plants

The number of police seizures of drugs across Yorkshire rose by ten per cent last year, data shows, with nearly 40,000 cannabis plants taken out of circulation.

Figures released by the Home Office today (Wednesday) revealed that Yorkshire's four police forces collectively made 13,952 seizures of drugs in the year ending March 2020 – the equivalent of more than one every hour that year and a rise from 12,868 the year before.

In total, there were 14,859 stashes of drugs taken through raids, searches and other means of confiscation, with cannabis remaining the most common substance seized.

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Some 10,255 stashes of cannabis were seized by police officers across Yorkshire last year, coming in the form of 38,589 individual plants, 23kg of resin and 292kg of herbal cannabis.

A police raid at a house in Bradford in February this yearA police raid at a house in Bradford in February this year
A police raid at a house in Bradford in February this year

A total 12kg of cocaine, 9kg of ecstasy, 2kg of crack and 2kg of heroin were among the Class A drugs seized, effectively taking millions of pounds' worth of substances out of UK circulation.

West Yorkshire Police made the highest number of drug seizures and the saw the biggest rise (17 per cent) from the year before, with 7,097 seizures up from 6,046.

The data does not include drugs seized by the UK Border Force, operating across the county's ports and airports.

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The police lead for drugs in South Yorkshire - which saw 4,531 drug seizures last year - said increased efforts to crack down on drugs crime was resulting in higher numbers of warrants executed and arrests being carried out.

Nearly 40,000 cannabis plants were seized in Yorkshire last year. Picture: South Yorkshire PoliceNearly 40,000 cannabis plants were seized in Yorkshire last year. Picture: South Yorkshire Police
Nearly 40,000 cannabis plants were seized in Yorkshire last year. Picture: South Yorkshire Police

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Murphy said: “The increase in drug seizures in the last year is a reflection of the huge amount of activity happening which is bringing offenders to justice and taking drugs off our streets.

“Officers right across South Yorkshire are tackling the issue of drug-supply in our towns and city every single day. They are carrying out significant operations and executing warrants with the aim of disrupting organised criminality and cutting off supply chains."

He added that the momentum of police crackdowns on drugs had not slowed this year amidst the pandemic, and that quieter roads and public spaces had allowed for more focused stop searches and increased levels of community intelligence.

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Carl Galvin, who is Head of Serious and Organised Crime for West Yorkshire, said police recognised that curbing drugs crime was about "more than just catch and convict".

Statistics showing drug seizures across England and Wales last year, which rose by 20 per cent from the year beforeStatistics showing drug seizures across England and Wales last year, which rose by 20 per cent from the year before
Statistics showing drug seizures across England and Wales last year, which rose by 20 per cent from the year before

He said: "Whilst the figures themselves reveal the number of recorded offences, we would like to point out that our approach, proactivity and engagement in all areas of drugs crime has increased.

“Our strategy is not just about catch and convict, we are also engaged in work to deter and prevent persons from becoming involved in drug crime and have a number of rehabilitation initiatives in place for those caught up in the cycle of drugs and addiction who want a way out, all of this work is done collaboratively with partners as part of Programme Precision."

As well as West and South Yorkshire, drug seizures rose in Humberside where there were 1,077 last year – up by five per cent from the year before. Similarly, there were 2,154 seizures in North Yorkshire, although this figure was approximately the same as the year before.

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Research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published today also provided an insight into the social backgrounds of people who used drugs.

12kg of cocaine was seized in Yorkshire last year. Picture: Humberside Police12kg of cocaine was seized in Yorkshire last year. Picture: Humberside Police
12kg of cocaine was seized in Yorkshire last year. Picture: Humberside Police

The findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) suggested 3.4 per cent of people with a household income of £52,000 or over had taken cocaine in the year to March – the highest proportion for any salary.

The findings - based on face-to-face interviews - also suggested that 17.6 per cent of full-time students have taken cannabis, compared with 5.9 per cent of managers and other professionals, and indicated that the highest proportion of cannabis users (13.2 per cent) were earning a salary of less than £10,400 a year.

Billy Gazard from the Office for National Statistics Centre for Crime and Justice said: “Overall drug use continued to remain stable, with around one in 11 adults aged 16 to 59 years having taken a drug in the past year. However, there were differences between age groups. Drug use was much more common among younger adults although, again, the proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds taking drugs was similar to the previous year."

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