Lancashire Police launch new campaign to stop child criminal exploitation
'Eyes Open' aims to highlight the predatory nature of criminal gangs
Lancashire Police have launched a new campaign to highlight how young people are exploited to deal drugs by crime groups.
'Eyes Open' aims to educate young people, as well as their parents or carers, about the deceptive tactics that county lines gangs use.
County lines are the networks that these gangs use to distribute drugs from cities to smaller towns and rural areas.
They rely heavily on exploiting children and young people to transport and sell these drugs in different places.
Once the child is dependant on the gang, they are coerced into committing crime - often with threats, violence and manipulation.
The campaign has been co-created by Lancashire Police, Greater Manchester Police, Merseyside Police, and North Wales Police - alongside the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Kent & Medway Violence Reduction Unit.
New research has found that while most parents are aware of the term 'county lines', only 39% made reference to children, vulnerable people or exploitation - most thought it was simply transporting drugs and drug dealing.
It's hoped the campaign will empower parents and young people to recognise the signs of exploitation and highlight how gangs groom children through a sense of belonging.
The gangs will often offer 'free' gifts like designer clothes and vapes, to then draw the young people in.
Lancashire Police’s County Lines lead, Superintendent Mark Riley, said:
"By combining efforts with our neighbouring forces, we can better target county lines gangs operating in the region.
"Staying vigilant is key"
"It is so important to raise awareness of the signs of county lines in both our young people, parents and guardians, schools and professionals as staying vigilant to these signs is key to protecting those at risk.
"At Lancashire, we are committed to uncovering and dismantling these lines, not only to safeguard our young people, but also to reduce the flow and access to drugs and other illegal materials in Lancashire.
"I would urge anyone who suspects their friends or family members of being exploited through county lines to come forward and report what they know.
"And remember, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is!"
Since 2019, police forces have closed more than 5,600 county lines nationally and referred 8,800 people to safeguarding services.
Anyone who knows somebody who is being exploited can give information to Crimestoppers.