Drug related crime reports up in Wiltshire
We're encouraged to keep reporting concerns to Police
Reports of drug offences in Wiltshire have increased in the last 12 months.
New Office of National Statistics (ONS) data reveals. to the year ending March 2025, 1,194 drug offences were recorded across the county.
It corresponds with a 14% rise across the South West of drug offence reports being reported, up from 9,932 to 11,295.
The ONS data also revealed fewer cases of robbery, which are down 23%, and reports of sexual offences are up 10%.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson says this rise is down to stronger engagement from the community and regional enforcement efforts, such as Operation Scorpion, being successful.
Op Scorpon is a collaborative initiative between the five South West police forces and their respective Police and Crime Commissioners which aims to make the region a hostile environment for drug dealers and organised crime groups. An important part of that work includes encouraging people across the county to report concerns to police to build the intelligence picture.
Mr Wilkinson said: “The rise in drug offences is a clear sign that our communities are stepping forward and saying, ‘enough is enough’. Through Operation Scorpion, we have empowered residents to report suspicious activity and helped ensure that Wiltshire is no place for drugs.
“This increase shows that our intelligence-led approach is working — we are uncovering more, disrupting more, and protecting more people from harm, and residents are more confident they will receive a positive response when they contact the police.
“Your information is helping us dismantle criminal networks and safeguard vulnerable people, especially young people who are often targeted by gangs.
“We will continue to invest in proactive policing and community partnerships to ensure Wiltshire remains a hostile environment for those who seek to profit from drugs and exploitation.”
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: “We continue to listen and respond robustly to community concerns, in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner and a wide range of agencies and stakeholders to keep the residents of Swindon and Wiltshire safe.
“We cautiously welcome the latest ONS statistics which suggest increased public confidence from our communities to report serious crime such as drug related offences.
“Despite the national funding challenges, the proactive and community focused actions of Wiltshire Police are continuing to reduce crime in Wiltshire and Swindon. We have the lowest total recorded crime rate in England and Wales of 53.3 crimes per 1,000 population against a national average of 87.2 per 1,000 population.
“We are determined to continue to build on this level of performance and maintain this positive momentum in our delivery of our policing service to our communities.
The full ONS report can be seen here.