Drug seizures by police rose during the first year of the pandemic.

Home Office data shows Lancashire Constabulary carried out 2,746 seizures in the year to March – up 19 per cent from 2,305 the year before.

Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine were seized 801 times during 2020-21, but cannabis was a factor in the largest proportion of all seizures – 71 per cent.

Variations of the class B substance were found in 1,942 seizures, with police confiscating 41,248 cannabis plants as a result.

There were 220,000 drug 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 3,130 drug crimes recorded across Lancashire, a 24% rise from 2,520 in 2019-20.

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

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "Drugs and drug related crime have a huge negative impact on our communities. We take a tough stance on the illegal use of drugs and regularly carry out drugs warrants and special operations aimed at disrupting supply and arresting offenders.

"We need the community’s help so we can continue to tackle drug supply and target offenders. If you are worried about drugs in your area please call us on 101 and pass the information to us."

Dr Laura Garius, Release's policy lead, said the organisation's monitoring of UK drug purchasing during the pandemic found more people reported an increase in consumption.

She said: "Just as we see with recorded drug offences, drug seizures reflect policing activity and priorities, rather than accurately reflecting drug market activity."

Dr Garius said it was the drug most responsible for bringing people into the justice system and called for its legislation, saying doing so would prevent the criminalisation of thousands.

However, 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 added: “Policing takes drug crime, and the devastating impact they have for communities and individuals, incredibly seriously.

“We will continue to focus efforts on the criminals and organised gangs who are destroying lives and fuelling the violence we’re seeing on our streets."

Mr Malthouse said: "Drugs gangs ruin lives and dismantling their conspiracies for good means breaking their businesses and destroying their profits.

"Well done to the Border Force and police for tackling this head on."