DRUG seizures by police in West Mercia rose during the first year of the pandemic amid a rise in drug hauls nationally.

Police chiefs say a drop in calls from the public during parts of 2020-21 meant forces across England and Wales had more capacity to proactively police drugs crimes and disrupt illicit dealing and county lines activity.

Home Office data shows West Mercia Police carried out 4,152 seizures in the year to March – up 18 per cent from 3,508 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".

However, Release – the national centre for drugs expertise – said seizures have little impact on the availability of drugs, claiming people had no difficulties finding a dealer in a "resilient and adaptable market", even during the pandemic.

In 2020-21, there were 2,739 drug crimes recorded across West Mercia, a 19 per cent rise from 2,295 in 2019-20.

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

Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine were seized by West Mercia police 598 times during 2020-21, but cannabis was a factor in the largest proportion of all seizures – 64 per cent.

Variations of the class B substance were found in 2,667 seizures, with police confiscating 6,230 cannabis plants as a result.

Deputy Chief Constable Jason Harwin, drugs lead at the National Police Chiefs' Council, said the substance was potent, harmful and a "key driver in other serious criminality".

He said: “Policing takes drug crime, and the devastating impact they have for communities and individuals, incredibly seriously."