Seven arrested in Wiltshire during week long crack down on county lines
The force say education was the most important aspect
Officers from Wiltshire Police's Fortitude Team and Neighbourhood Policing Groups took part in a national campaign to crack down on county lines drug dealing last week.
Between May 17th and May 23rd, the force arrested seven men in relation to county lines, charging three.
Four of which were from Swindon, one from London, one from Lyneham and one of no fixed address.
Police say that the "intensification" week is vital in educating people about the dangers and risks of getting involved in this kind of behaviour.
County Lines is a drugs distribution model using mobile phones where drugs are exported from major cities and imported into other areas, often using vulnerable adults and children.
During the week, the force's other results include:
- 36 cuckooed addresses visited
- 35 vulnerable people were engaged for safeguarding purposes
Detective Inspector Paul Franklin, one of the leads in the Fortitude Team said:
"Intensification weeks like this allow us to dedicate a burst of activity and resources, highlighting to the public our determination to rid our county of this crime - a crime which affects everyone in every community.
Tackling County Lines is not only about stopping the drugs gangs but, also, protecting those at risk of being exploited by these gangs.
It's also about education. We, with the support of partners, help educate children about the stark, cold reality of County Lines as well as giving parents, carers and guardians information to help them spot the signs. Officers have been visiting schools across the county to give talks to children and letters to parents as part of this week.
It is vital that everyone looks out for the signs of exploitation. This may be a child with unexplained cash, new expensive clothing or trainers; perhaps they went missing and were in possession of rail tickets or taxi receipts or maybe there has been a change in behaviour and new people suddenly appearing at a house or flat."
HAMPSHIRE STATS
Hampshire Police also took part in the campaign last week.
Officers there identified and safeguarded 17 children as vulnerable to county lines exploitation and arrested 33 people.
They also seized and recovered:
- £4,140 worth of heroin
- £50k worth of cannabis
- 25 MDMA tabs
- £7,380 POCA / Cash recovered
- 10 weapons were recovered: 7 knives, 1 scissor blade, 1 catapult, 1 knuckleduster
- 38 mobile phones
- Crack and cocaine was also recovered (not yet quantified)
If you notice suspicious activity or have information about drug dealing you should call 101 or 999 in an emergency.