Ketamine-related arrests have surged by over 100% within four years, with teenagers as young as 14 caught possessing the drug, according to newly released data.
The use of ketamine, commonly known as a potent horse tranquilizer that can cause severe bladder damage, is approaching “epidemic” levels as it is being sold online for as little as £1 per dosage, as per an expert.
Police data shows that in 2025, there were 601 ketamine-related arrests, a significant increase from 269 in 2021. Notably, these cases are widespread across the country, with rural and smaller police forces impacted as drug gangs distribute ketamine from urban areas.
A parent, Wendy Teasdill, who lost her daughter to ketamine use in 2013, expressed deep concern over the escalating ketamine abuse among young people, emphasizing the destructive nature of regular ketamine consumption.
Various police forces across England and Wales reported a rise in ketamine arrests over the past five years. For instance, North Wales Police apprehended 27 suspects in 2025, a stark increase from just two in 2021, including a 14-year-old found with multiple doses of ketamine.
In other regions, such as Cumbria, Kent, Merseyside, Essex, Cheshire, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, and Dyfed-Powys, the number of ketamine-related arrests surged significantly between 2021 and 2025.
Rehabs UK Senior Treatment Advisor, Scott Ardley, attributed the increased ketamine use to its greater availability and affordability. He noted that the drug, known by various street names, can be purchased for as little as £5 per gram, leading to widespread consumption among youngsters through social media platforms.
A concerning trend highlighted by Ardley is the prevalence of ketamine use among children as young as 12, facilitated by online drug dealers operating on platforms like Snapchat.
Unlike traditional drugs like cocaine, ketamine is a synthetic substance mass-produced illicitly in the UK using chemicals sourced from China and India. It is also imported by organized crime groups from Indian factories that primarily manufacture ketamine for pharmaceutical purposes.
While some police forces observed a decline in ketamine arrests in recent years, overall ketamine-related poisonings and fatalities have surged, prompting discussions on potential reclassification to a Class A drug to combat its growing misuse and associated health risks.
Public figures and authorities, including Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, have raised alarms about the detrimental effects of ketamine misuse, calling for immediate action to address the escalating crisis.
