A journalistic investigation has examined the dramatic rise in cocaine consumption across Britain, finding that the drug has shifted from being associated with affluence to becoming prevalent in everyday settings including pubs, dinner parties, festivals and workplaces.
The series, conducted by north of England correspondent Robyn Vinter and data journalist Michael Goodier, began with Vinter noticing a pattern of increased openness around cocaine use at major public events. The investigation was sparked by observations at the Euro 2020 football final at Wembley stadium in 2021, where survey data indicated more than half of attendees had witnessed cocaine use. Subsequent observations at anti-immigration riots, political rallies and music festivals suggested that users were becoming increasingly unguarded about their consumption compared to previous years.
To test these observations, Goodier conducted extensive data analysis, including freedom of information requests to all 45 territorial police forces across the UK. The findings showed a 10% rise in police-recorded crimes mentioning cocaine since 2019, while Home Office estimates indicated a 26% increase in cocaine use at monitored sites across England since 2021. The investigation also explored connections between cocaine use and various crimes, including assault and dangerous driving. A particular focus examined domestic abuse, with Home Office figures showing that nearly six in 10 drug tests on individuals arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse tested positive for cocaine use between July 2025 and June this year.
Assessing illegal drug use presents methodological challenges, as self-reported crime survey data showed slight decreases in cocaine use since the pandemic. However, wastewater analysis by Home Office scientists provided a different picture, indicating a 26% rise in cocaine levels in sewage between 2021 and 2025. Experts consulted during the investigation indicated that wastewater data is more reliable than self-reported usage. Contributing factors to increased consumption include a significant decline in cocaine prices, making the drug more affordable despite broader cost-of-living pressures affecting other consumer goods.
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