POLICE say an almost 20 per cent rise in drug seizures is down to a drop in calls during the first year of the pandemic meaning they had more capacity to proactively deal with crimes, and disrupt illicit dealing and county lines activity.

Home Office data shows, in 2020-21, there were 8,902 drug crimes recorded across West Yorkshire, a 15 per cent rise from 7,714 in 2019-20.

The offences contributed to the 210,000 logged nationally last year – a record high.

West Yorkshire Police carried out 8,344 seizures in the year to March – up 18 per cent from 7,097 the year before.

There were 220,000 seizures nationally, up more than a fifth from 2019-20.

Policing and Crime Minister Kit Malthouse said this meant some "nasty villains" nursing huge losses, while Home Secretary Priti Patel praised the efforts of police and Border Force officials in their targeting of "the kingpins destroying communities".

Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine were seized by West Yorkshire police 1,656 times during 2020-21, but cannabis was a factor in the largest proportion of all seizures – 76 per cent.

Variations of the class B substance were found in 6,330 seizures, with police confiscating 22,239 cannabis plants as a result.

Nationally, 71 per cent of all drugs seizures involved cannabis.

Detective Superintendent Fiona Gaffney leads West Yorkshire Police’s Programme Precision – the response to serious and organised criminality in the county.

She said: “These figures reflect the commitment West Yorkshire Police and our partners are making to ensure our communities are a safer place.

“By approaching the issue collaboratively, through specialist investigations, working in partnership, neighbourhood policing and other resources it allows us to identify, target and disrupt the activities of those involved in the supply and production of illegal drugs.

“Our officers work with partners across the force area and beyond, through the collaborative strategy of Programme Precision, to tackle the issue of drug production and supply in West Yorkshire.

“Our approach, proactivity and engagement in all areas of drug crime has increased through the work of Programme Precision, and it is not just about catching and convicting those involved in this illegal trade.

“We are also engaged in partnership work to deter and prevent people from becoming involved in drug crime and have rehabilitation initiatives in place for those who want a way out from the negative cycle caused by drugs and addiction."