North East police forces arrest over 180 people in County Lines operation
There was an intensification week
Police forces across the North East took part in a national coordinated operation to tackle County Lines.
They say it was a success in tackling cross-border drug dealing as over 180 people were arrested and 90 vulnerable people were safeguarded.
Last week, officers across the country stood united with partners in the fight against County Lines and organised drug supply.
The police forces say this reaffirms their commitment to tackling county line exploitation criminality.
Across the North East alone, the intensification week saw warrants executed, deal lines shutdown, drugs seized and a total of 183 people arrested.
Results also showed that 90 vulnerable people in the North East had been safeguarded due to the national operation.
Officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), Northumbria Police, Durham Constabulary and Cleveland Police were joined by the prison services, local authorities, and safeguarding partners as they carried out several targeted operations across the region to safeguard vulnerable victims, shut down drug lines and educate young people around the dangers of becoming involved with drugs.
The national intensification week coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) ran from 4th March to 10th March and is just one example of the ongoing targeted activity carried out by police and partners throughout the year to tackle County Lines and protect all impacted.
The region-wide activity saw large quantities of drugs seized, including cocaine, heroin and cannabis – with warrants also resulting in the seizure of large quantities of cash and weapons including machetes and swords.
NEROCU Regional County Lines Co-Ordinator Ian Randell, has commended the dedication of officers and staff working in the North East to continue to be at the forefront of tackling County Lines and the exploitation linked to it.
He said: “The public are now fully aware of the efforts ongoing year-round to tackle this type of organised drug crime. We are resilient and robust in our approach and intensification weeks like this are just one tactic at our disposal.
“This period has delivered more great results, and that is thanks to dedicated teams building intelligence, shutting down deal lines, arresting suspects and protecting those being exploited – and their work doesn’t end here.
“Educating young and vulnerable people on the dangers of county lines and the exploitation that comes with it is also a crucial part of our work and it was great to see the large number of vulnerable people safeguarded as part of this week of action.
“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, our dedicated regional initiative to tackling serious and organised crime, we will continue to work with partners and pursue offenders, shut down their lines, and work with young people and those who have been impacted by this abhorrent crime.”
Cleveland Police
Cleveland Police say its officers made 21 arrests (20 men and one woman) relating to drug offences.
Over £1,200 worth of crack cocaine and 500 class c tablets were recovered and £13,260 in cash along with two Rolex watches. Police also seized air rifles, lock knives and machetes which will assist in reducing serious violence.
Addresses linked to cuckooing – a term used to describe how organised crime groups either befriend, manipulate or force themselves into the homes lived in by vulnerable people in order to use the property to store and sell drugs – were visited by officers.
At least nine people were identified as vulnerable and at risk of criminal exploitation with officers working with partners to provide specialist support and advice to safeguard them.
Officers assisted by a couple of dogs visited Middlesbrough bus station and the college to sniff out people who may have been in possession of drugs and to act as a deterrent against organised crime and exploitation.
Properties were ordered to close after residents raised concerns of occupants causing anti-social behaviour.
Pupils and teachers at primary and secondary schools were visited by officers to educate on how organised criminals recruit youngsters to deal drugs on their behalf, the signs to look out for and how to report it. Highlighting the use of vapes provided to children by criminals with the aim of enticing them onto drugs and into their world.
Local officers also handed flyers to members of the community to inform and educate them on county lines.
The intensification week in Cleveland was led by the dedicated drugs unit involving neighbourhood officers – from Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland – and various departments including MATRIX, drone unit and custody.
Leading on the week of action, Detective Chief Inspector Gez Wraith, said: “Protecting and preventing young children and vulnerable adults from organised criminals who go out of their way to exploit them, remains one of our top priorities.
“On a daily basis we carry out a range of activity collectively with our partners and charities to help protect our community from organised crime. This includes executing warrants and making arrests and seizures but also educating children, parents and teachers on what county lines is and how organised crime groups operate, to protect and prevent them from exploitation.”
DCI Wraith added: “We can’t disrupt this criminality on our own, we really need the public’s support in helping to drive these criminals out of the community. I’d encourage you to recognise and remember the signs to look out for and then to report it, being reassured that we will take action.”
What is County Lines?
County Lines sees drug dealers expanding their illicit operations through dedicated mobile phone lines, known as deal lines, which sell highly addictive substances.
To maintain their illegal activity, criminals often exploit children and young people by grooming them into becoming drug mules, threatening violence, and intimidating them to keep them trapped.
If you see something that doesn’t look right or know of any vulnerable people who may be involved in County Lines, please get in touch and help protect them.
Alternatively, if you have concerns or information, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111 555 or visit their website.
These are some signs a child or vulnerable adult could be a victim of criminal exploitation:
• A child frequently going missing from school, home or being disengaged
• Having a new phone, bike, clothes, habits or attitudes
• Using nicknames to refer to people
• Having new and controlling relationships
• Unexplained injuries and carrying weapons
Cuckooing
• An increase in visitors or cars to a property
• People coming and going at odd times of the day and night
• Strange smells of illegal drugs coming from the property
• Cars pulling up to or near the house for short periods of time