Westminster drug offences 8.5 times higher than five London boroughs

Westminster recorded the highest number of drug offences among London boroughs in September 2026, with 445 incidents. This figure represents a rate of 1.7 offences per 1,000 people, which is approximately 8.5 times higher than the rate recorded in five other London boroughs. The data, released by the Metropolitan Police, shows that across Greater London, a total of 4,324 drug offences were recorded during the same month.

Westminster's Offence Rate

The recorded drug offence rate in Westminster stood at 1.7 per 1,000 residents in September 2026. In comparison, Bexley, Ealing, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, and Sutton each reported a rate of 0.2 per 1,000 people. Kensington and Chelsea followed Westminster with the second-highest figure, recording 247 offences and a rate of 1.6 per 1,000 people. Other boroughs with high numbers of recorded drug offences included Croydon with 234, Newham with 214, Tower Hamlets with 207, and Brent with 205.

Capital-Wide Trends

Despite the high figures in Westminster and other central London boroughs, the overall number of recorded drug offences across the capital showed a decrease. Over the 12 months leading up to September 2026, drug offences recorded by the Metropolitan Police fell by 10.6%. The Metropolitan Police data categorises these offences to include possession of drugs.

The report on drug offences across London also noted specific incidents. On 30 September, officers found a significant quantity of Class B drugs hidden behind benches in Tower Hamlets. Separately, on 26 September, four individuals were jailed for their involvement in a conspiracy to import cocaine concealed within frozen fish destined for a London market. Additionally, on 9 October, a snooker club in Kilburn was ordered to remain closed following a drug raid that led to ten arrests.