County Lines

What is County Lines?

County Lines is a term used in the United Kingdom to describe a form of organised crime where urban drug gangs establish networks to sell drugs in other areas of the country, often smaller towns and rural locations.1 This is typically achieved by using dedicated mobile phone lines ("deal lines") to take orders, and by recruiting or coercing children and vulnerable adults to transport and sell the drugs.

Key characteristics of County Lines include:

Urban to rural/smaller town expansion: Criminal groups from major cities, particularly London but also others, extend their drug operations into new territories.
Use of dedicated phone lines: A specific mobile phone number is used for customers in the new area to place orders.
Exploitation of vulnerable individuals: Children (often aged 14-17), and vulnerable adults (including those with mental health issues, addiction problems, or financial difficulties) are used as "runners" to deliver drugs and collect money.
Coercion, intimidation, and violence: Gangs use various methods to control those working for them, including threats, physical violence, and sometimes sexual violence.
"Cuckooing": Gangs may take over the homes of vulnerable individuals to use as a base for their operations.7

How County Lines Affects People:

County Lines has a devastating impact on individuals and communities:

For exploited children and vulnerable adults:

Criminalisation: They are forced to commit crimes, making them liable to arrest and prosecution.9
Violence and abuse: They are at risk of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from gang members and rival groups.10
Drug addiction: They may be pressured into using drugs themselves.11
Mental health problems: Trauma, fear, and isolation can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Social isolation: Involvement in gangs can lead to exclusion from school, family, and positive peer groups.12
Long-term trauma: The experiences can have lasting psychological effects.
Debt bondage: They may be forced to work to pay off real or fabricated debts.
Trafficking and modern slavery: They can be moved across the country against their will and controlled by others.13

For communities:

Increased crime rates: The influx of drug dealing often leads to a rise in violence, theft, and anti-social behaviour.14
Increased drug use: The availability of drugs can lead to higher rates of addiction in the local population.
Fear and insecurity: Residents may feel less safe in their own neighbourhoods.
Strain on local services: Police, social services, and healthcare providers face increased demand.15

How to Minimise County Lines:

Minimising County Lines requires a multi-faceted approach involving prevention, early intervention, and police:

Education and awareness: Raising awareness among young people, parents, and communities about the dangers and signs of County Lines exploitation. This includes educating children about online safety and healthy relationships.
Early intervention: Identifying and supporting vulnerable children and young people who may be at risk of exploitation. This can involve schools, social services, and youth organisations working together.
Strengthening families and communities: Providing support to families and creating strong community networks can reduce vulnerability to gang influence.
Targeting perpetrators: Law enforcement agencies need to focus on disrupting and dismantling the criminal networks involved in County Lines. This includes targeting the "line holders" and those who recruit and control vulnerable individuals.
Partnership working: Effective strategies require collaboration between police, local authorities, social services, schools, and other agencies.
Providing support for victims: Ensuring that those exploited by County Lines have access to appropriate safeguarding, support, and rehabilitation services.
Parental controls: Using parental control software on devices to block harmful content and monitor online activity.
Open communication: Creating an open and trusting environment where children feel comfortable discussing their concerns.

How to Report County Lines:

If you have concerns about someone who may be involved in County Lines, it's crucial to report it. You can do this in several ways:

Contact the police: Call 101 for non-emergencies. In an emergency, always call 999. You can also contact your local police force directly through their website.
Report anonymously to Crimestoppers: You can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report online via their website. Crimestoppers is an independent charity and will not ask for your name, and your call or online report cannot be traced.
Contact Fearless: Fearless is a youth service provided by Crimestoppers where young people can report crime 100% anonymously through their website.
Contact the British Transport Police: If you have concerns related to travel on trains, you can text the British Transport Police on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40.
Contact local safeguarding services: If you are concerned about a child, you can contact your local Children's Single Point of Access (CSPA) or Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
Speak to a trusted adult: Young people who are worried can talk to a teacher, social worker, or another trusted adult. Childline is also available on 0800 1111.

When reporting, try to provide as much information as possible, such as:

Names, addresses, or descriptions of individuals involved.
Details of vehicles used (make, model, colour, registration).
Times and locations of suspicious activity.
Any phone numbers or social media details you may have.
Reasons why you suspect County Lines activity.

How to Deal with County Lines:

Dealing with County Lines in the UK involves a range of strategies at local and national levels:

Police operations: Police forces across the UK conduct operations to target County Lines networks, arrest offenders, and safeguard victims. This includes using intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated raids.
National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC): This national centre supports police forces in tackling County Lines by sharing intelligence and coordinating operations.
Gang Injunctions: Courts can issue injunctions to prevent individuals involved in gang-related violence or drug dealing from certain activities or entering specific areas.
Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders (STRO) and Prevention Orders (STPO): These orders can be used to manage individuals who pose a risk of committing modern slavery or human trafficking offences, which are often linked to County Lines.
Civil Injunctions and Closure Orders: These can be used to disrupt gang activity by restricting access to properties used for criminal purposes.
Drug Dealing Telecommunication Restriction Orders (DDTROs): These orders can be used to shut down the "deal lines" used by County Lines gangs.
Asset recovery: Law enforcement agencies can seize assets obtained through criminal activity, including those linked to County Lines.
Safeguarding protocols: Local authorities and police have safeguarding procedures in place to identify and protect children and vulnerable adults at risk of exploitation. This includes referrals to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for victims of trafficking and modern slavery.
Support for victims: Providing specialist support services, including counselling, accommodation, and legal assistance, to help victims recover and exit County Lines.
Partnership initiatives: Encouraging collaboration between different agencies to share information, coordinate responses, and develop joint strategies to tackle County Lines.
Rehabilitation and prevention programmes: Investing in programmes that aim to prevent young people from getting involved in gangs and provide support for those who want to leave.

It's important to remember that County Lines is a complex issue that requires a sustained and collaborative effort to address effectively. By understanding the signs, reporting concerns, and supporting preventative measures, individuals and communities can play a crucial role in tackling this harmful form of exploitation and crime.