Leicestershire Police reveal County Lines crackdown success
Officers retrieved a variety of weapons and made a number of arrests
Leicestershire Police made a series of arrests and removed a large quantity of drugs from the streets as part of their County Lines Intensification Week.
In line with forces across the country, Leicestershire police stepped-up their focus on criminal drugs gangs and helped increase awareness about the dangers of County Lines within the community.
The breakdown
During the week, officers made 63 arrests, executed 38 warrants and put safeguarding packages in place for 54 vulnerable people.
A variety of weapons were seized, including machetes, knives, baseball bats, knuckle dusters, weighted chains and two hand guns.
Large quantities of drugs including heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, cannabis, cannabis edibles and synthetic cannabinoids were also retrieved, as well as more than £30,000 in cash.
Members of the force also gave workshops and presentations highlighting the dangers of County Lines to over 6,000 children and young people and 367 professionals, parents and carers.
Signs and signifiers
Part of the presentations given included the screening of 'Are You Listening', a short film detailing the steps that adults can take and the signs they can look out for to help prevent younger people getting involved with County Lines.
Chief Superintendent Johnny Starbuck said:
"It's important to look out for signs such as young people suddenly having telephones, or having trainers or clothing they wouldn't normally be able to afford... any new and unexplained relationships.
"All of these things can be evidence that those children are being drawn into County Lines criminality.
"My message to people perhaps living in smaller towns, villages or more rural areas is it's important that you don't fall into a position where you think this is just something that affects bigger cities, it's not.
"The very model of County Lines is about drug dealers from bigger cities getting their drugs out, into smaller towns and villages."