54 people charged in Thames Valley-wide county lines crackdown
Police reveal details of a week long campaign
Thames Valley Police has charged 54 people during a national week of action to combat county lines drug dealing and exploitation.
A number of warrants took place across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, which contributed to the force’s ongoing Stronghold campaign, to work in partnership to tackle serious organised crime and exploitation.
County lines drug dealing is where organised crime groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.
This type of offending often exploits children and vulnerable people who may have addiction or mental health issues.
Victims are often exploited by OCGs who groom, coerce and often will use intimidation and violence in order to supply drugs to others.
As well as warrants, there were a number of activities that took place across the force that focused on safeguarding victims of these crimes, whilst also taking measures that look to prevent people becoming victims.
Police visited previous victims of cuckooing and officers have worked with schools in order to warn and inform pupils and teachers of the dangers of drugs and drug supply, and how criminal groups can look to exploit children.
During this week of action Thames Valley Police has:
Arrested 102 people
Charged 54 people
Safeguarded 37 people
Visited 78 addresses that have been taken over by a county line
Submitted 6 National Referral Mechanism referrals to date
Seized over 400 wraps of cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine
Seized at least 90 Cannabis plants
A number of weapons seized including a baseball bat, machetes and an array of hunting, flick, Rambo and kitchen knives meaning numerous weapons have been taken off of our streets.
Seized approximately £66,000 in cash
Seized approximately 160 mobile phones
Detective Inspector Simon Hannam of Thames Valley Police’s Drugs Focus Taskforce said:
“This week of action has been really positive and productive, in terms of making arrests, protecting vulnerable people and seizing drugs, weapons and cash associated with drug dealing.
“It has been good to work alongside partners including local authorities, schools and charities, and have been able to educate people as to the dangers of drugs exploitation.
“It has been an important week going forward as we have gathered really useful intelligence which will help us continue to tackle county lines drug dealing.
“We focus on combatting county lines every day, but this intensification week highlights to the public our commitment to fighting these offences.
“It should also serve as a message to offenders. We will not tolerate those who attempt to exploit our communities, and to bring to drugs into them.
“We know who you are, we will arrest you, stop your supply and seize your drugs and cash.
“It is important that the public helps us in our fight against serious organised crime by reporting drug dealing or anything else which is of concern to them. If you are worried that someone you know is being exploited by drug dealers, please report it. We can then take the necessary steps to safeguard them and identify those responsible.”