County Lines: Police carry out raids
It follows a week of national action
Last updated 21st Oct 2021
Police have carried out dozens of raids across the country as we continue to investigate criminal gangs recruiting kids as drug mules.
Drugs, cash and weapons have been seized as part of the county lines clampdown.
British Transport Police tell us they've identified at least 12 young people being used to move drugs on the rail network in the last week alone.
It comes after a national action week which has been described as an ‘intensification of work around county lines’.
Forces across England and Wales have been looking at county lines methodology, and working with pressure campaigns to prevent activity.
Detective Inspector Kelly Gray, the county lines coordinator for the Eastern region, covering seven forces including Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, told Greatest Hits Radio the action week had resulted in "significant arrests":
"We've done a lot of work with the Children’s Society, and the Look Closer campaign.
"We've had quite a few kilos of drugs seized, firearms, and a lot of people charged and remanded linked to quite high harm lines across the region."
She added:
"With the week of action, we look around not just doing warrants, but it's the whole question of how do we desensitize gangs from coming into our region?
"What can we do to stop normal people being recruited into the county lines methodology?
"So it's not just about doing warrants, it's about the long-term plan to try and prevent this activity from coming into the region."
DI Gray told Greatest Hits Radio that the police were aware of at least 275 county lines within the seven forces she covers.
She also highlighted the difficulties in identifying which vulnerable people are involved in county lines, saying there are "numerous ways" that they can be recruited:
"Social media is a big aspect and actually sometimes the exploiters will never meet the person that they're exploiting - everything is done through fear over social media.
"We see a lot of recruitment outside certain places, so it could be a takeaway, a shop, outside drug rehabilitation centres to try and recruit adults.
"We've had people move into gangs, move into hotels when the homeless put there during COVID.
"They will adapt because it's a business model and they'll be fluid on how they can recruit people into that methodology.
"We quite often find that people get recruited into the county lines model because they see the glamorization on social media - they want to have that money.
"So there's quite a few factors and signs.
"But definitely if they start having nice trainers, suddenly coming into wealth, disassociate from their friends and family, having more than one mobile phone.
"If they’re working with social services, they might stop interacting."
What are the signs that children are being exploited?
There are a number of signs which may help reveal whether a child is being exploited by County Lines drugs gangs. It is up to the public and campaigns like #LookCloser to identify these signs and help protect children at risk.
Children looking anxious or lost
Children travelling alone frequently, either at night or during school hours, is one sign to look out for. Children that are being exploited may appear lost or unfamiliar with their surroundings. Appearing anxious, frightened and angry is also an indicator.
Carrying two phones
Being in possession of more than one phone is an indicator that children may be contacting the individuals or groups that are exploiting them.
Carrying lots of cash
Carrying large sums of money is another sign to look out for when worried that a child is being exploited.
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Children involved with County Lines drugs gangs could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Being controlled by others
Being instructed or controlled by another individual, or being accompanied by people that are older than them, is another sign that a child may be being exploited.
Begging for money
Children that are begging in a public space is another indicator.
Where to spot children being exploited by County Lines gangs
It's important to know where children that are being exploited might be found. Buses, trains, trams and other forms of public transport are used to move children. Food outlets or roadside services may be used for children to stock up on amenities. Hotels, salons and car washes may be places where exploitation happens 'behind closed doors'.
Will there be exploited children near me?
There's a chance you might come across a child being exploited when at your place of work. They may be found in banks when moving money between accounts.
Taxis and private hire vehicles may be used by children when in contact with those who are exploiting them; it's important for taxi drivers to not ignore concerning phone conversations.
Takeaway and delivery drivers who visit residential areas and travel through public spaces may have the opportunity to identify a household in which children are being exploited. Retail workers may come into contact with children that are stealing items or begging for money, which are also signifiers.
Hotels, caravan parks and rented accommodation are used to abuse and exploit children. Workers should keep an eye out for young people checking in with adults that do not appear to be their parents.