How Airbnb owners are helping to bring down county lines drugs gangs
Devon and Cornwall Police are now working with local Airbnb hosts as they fight the estimated 20 county lines drugs gangs here.
Police are trying to stop criminal gangs exploiting the growing number of Airbnbs in Devon and Cornwall - after some were used as part of drug networks.
This week, as part of our #lookcloser investigation, we're looking at the impact of county lines drug gangs and what is being to stop them locally.
Devon and Cornwall Police believe there's currently 20 county lines gangs operating in the force area and they are now working with Airbnb hosts to help them spot the warning signs.
Police have long worked with hotels and B&Bs to encourage staff to report suspicions of county lines - often leading to vital information.
At the start of this year a couple were jailed for masterminding a drugs network across Torquay, Plymouth and Penzance.
The court heard they spent ÂŁ3,000 on West County Airbnb stays over a four month period - often trashing the places where they stayed.
Police are working with The Children's Society to raise awareness about county lines activity.
Tryst Fentem, a specialist problem solver with Devon & Cornwall Police, said: "The scale of the company (Airbnb) is massive and that isn't a bad thing because what that means for us and our messaging is the reach of our messaging - the reach of this campaign is significant.
"We don't think it will just stop at the host, the host will also speak to their neighbour, their friends regarding this campaign material."
READ MORE: Would you know if your child was being groomed by a drug gang?
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