Week-long crack-down on county lines drug dealing sees three Harrogate men arrested

Officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team were on proactive patrols in the Montpellier Hill area when they saw what they believed was a drug deal taking place.

After stopping and searching three men, they recovered a large amount of suspected heroin and cash. The three men, all from Harrogate and aged 37 and two aged 45, were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply. One 45-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property (money).

In the region of 30 wraps of suspected heroin, £600 cash and a number of mobile phones and scales have been seized as part of the investigation.

The action was part of a national week of intensification led by the National Crime Agency and Regional Organised Crime Units to disrupt criminals and safeguard vulnerable people.

15 people have been arrested and 64 vulnerable people visited during a week-long crack-down on county lines drug dealing.

In North Yorkshire officers arrested 14 men and a 17-year-old boy over the course of the week.

The 15 suspects were arrested on suspicion of various offences ranging from supplying heroin to possessing cash obtained through criminality. The arrests were made in the Harrogate, Skipton and Keighley areas.

A key focus of county lines is safeguarding vulnerable people who are exploited by criminals. Either those who are forced to travel from town to town selling drugs, or those who are victims of what is known as ‘cuckooing’. This is where vulnerable people – often drug users or those with mental or physical disability – are forced into allowing drug dealers to stay in their homes which are then used as a base to store and sell drugs.

North Yorkshire Police worked with partner agencies to visit 64 vulnerable people identified as victims or potential victims of cuckooing to put safeguarding measures in place. The measures can range from being re-housed to being issued with advice and information to make them aware of cuckooing and how to recognise the signs that they are being exploited and how to get help.

The visits were carried out in the Harrogate, Skipton and Scarborough areas.

Officers also worked with British Transport Police to target people using the rail network to bring drugs into North Yorkshire from towns outside of the county and to raise awareness among passengers of exploitation and signs to look out for.

The force also supported the Children’s Society #LookCloser campaign through social media – designed to encourage people to look beyond the obvious to help protect children who are being exploited: Those who don’t always look vulnerable, don’t always act like victim, may not understand they are being exploited, may have a distrust of police/adults in authority and appear angry or aggressive – common signs of trauma.

Chief Inspector Emma Aldred of North Yorkshire Police, said: “County lines continues to be a key priority for North Yorkshire Police. This past week of action throws a spotlight on what is going on throughout the year to disrupt drug dealing and safeguard vulnerable people.

“The patrols and visits also allow us to gather valuable information that is used to build up a picture of what is happening in the area and forms part of a bigger picture that goes on to inform the action we take in the future.

“We urge people to continue to report any concerns they have about drug dealing or vulnerable people in their neighbourhood. We will take action.”