Sussex Police crack down on County Lines during Action Week

Officers have been making an impact in the community during the week targeting the drug operation.

Author: Rosa BownPublished 20th Oct 2023
Last updated 20th Oct 2023

Sussex police delivered a campaign of "education, engagement and enforcement" against County Lines from the 9th - 15th of October, which was national County Lines Intensification Week.

Officers seized over seventeen thousand pounds of cash and over four hundred grams of class A and B drugs, during the week. They also seized six weapons, including a sword and a stun gun.

27 suspects were arrested in the county, including a prominent figure suspected of running a notorious drugs line with links to Brighton and Hastings. Officers also responded to community concerns about open drug use in the vicinity of Old Steine. This led to the arrest of a man discovered in possession of cash and approximately 100 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine.

Detective Chief Inspector John Wallace, the force lead for County Lines, said: “While I am delighted with the results of this dedicated week of action, I’d like to assure people that we won’t stop here. County Lines drug-dealing brings enormous harm to our communities and it’s up to us, working with our partners and the public, to stop it."

In East Sussex, school students were shown how to spot the signs of drug harm and how to report it during a number of sessions run by Neighbourhood Youth Officers. Leaflets were also given out at stalls set up in towns including Eastbourne.

In West Sussex, 10 vehicles with links to County Lines were stopped, resulting in two arrests, and the seizure of multiple drugs, phones and £6,000 cash.

A number of free awareness sessions on cuckooing and child exploitation were delivered by officers to professionals across the county. PCSOs also visited hotels and hospitality establishments to raise awareness of exploitation, and how to spot it.

The police define cuckooing as where drug gangs use a vulnerable person’s home as a base for their drug operations, often through violence, intimidation and exploitation.

DCI John Wallace said: “This type of criminality will not be tolerated in Sussex, however it is equally as important that we protect the vulnerable people in our communities.”

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