30 active County Lines operating in Dorset
Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner wants us all to help rid the county of drugs
Last updated 22nd Oct 2021
County Lines drug dealing makes up a large majority of drug dealing in Dorset, according to Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner.
David Sidwick has been speaking to Greatest Hits Radio Dorset as part of our #LookCloser campaign.
County Lines drug dealers coerce and exploit young people and adults to move and sell their product across the country.
Mr Sidwick told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"There's 30, approximately, county lines that are active in the county. In theory you would have to say that is probably giving you the majority of what's going on.
"How do you get drugs otherwise? These are people who have one objective which is to make money. They don't care how they do it and therefore they will distribute the drugs as widely as they possibly can."
Hundreds of thousand of pounds of drugs seized in Dorset
Stats released by Dorset Police have revealed £120,000 cash and £482,000 worth of drugs has been seized in Dorset in the last three years.
Mr Sidwick says he's working together with other forces in the South West.
"We want to make the South West a hostile environment for drug dealers, so we intend to take their goods, take their money and take their liberty.
"But we have to do far more than that, we've got to try to close down the demand, so we have people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol - we've got to have effective rehabilitation.
"We want to keep what works and what helps people get clean."
But Mr Sidwick says it's also about educating the public about the signs, and preventing young people from turning to drugs in the first place.
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.
For a child or young person possible signs of county lines exploitation are:
• Going missing from school or home
• Significant changes in emotional well-being
• Meeting unfamiliar people
• Changes in their behaviour
• Use of drugs and alcohol
• Acquiring money or expensive gifts they can’t account for
• Relationships with controlling or older individuals or associated with gangs
• Suspicion of self-harm, physical assault or unexplained injuries
• Lone children travelling long distances
• Having multiple mobile phones or tablets or ‘SIM cards’
• Having money, expensive clothing, or accessories that they can’t account for
"There are kids in their 20s who don't have bladders because they were addicted to ketamine.
"So we've got to make those messages in a way that lands with our kids.
"The core is about all of us. What sort of society do we want Dorset to be? So we can all basically do something about this, we can be vigilant, we can look out for those kids that seem to be getting into trouble, let somebody know.
"We can look for those people who seem to have a bunch of strangers visiting their house in the middle of the night.
"We can look out for cuckooing and exploitation, and we can tell people."