Gangs using ‘County Lines’ to spread drugs into small towns will have phones cut off in fresh blitz
The Home Secretary has revealed plans to give cops power to block mobiles of those involved in 'County Lines' drug operations
DRUG gangs who set up hotlines couriers to deal in the suburbs will have their phones shut down.
So-called County Lines operations – involving urban crack and heroin dealers branching out into small towns – are targets of a fresh government blitz.
New laws will give cops power to block “deal lines”, which prevent them having to visit markets and being arrested.
There is evidence pushers are expanding into rural areas, like criminals in the hit TV series The Wire.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “Gang violence, drug dealing and exploitation have a devastating impact on vulnerable people, their families and communities.
“This action demonstrates our determination to crack down on gangs and send a clear message we will not tolerate this kind of criminal activity.”
County lines, or ‘going country’ involves gangs using young people or vulnerable adults to carry and sell drugs across county boundaries using dedicated mobile phone hotlines.
The advantage to dealers is they can sell drugs outside the area they live in - often impoverished towns - and therefore reduce the risk of getting caught.
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A criminal group may also target a vulnerable person living in an area outside of London and other major cities and take over their home as a base to sell drugs from.
Boys aged 14-17 are the most often targeted, however girls can also be exploited, often starting a relationship with a gang member that can lead to sexual and domestic violence.
Adults who are drug addicts or have learning difficulties are also targeted.
How do criminal gangs force kids into county lines crime?
Gangs use a combination of violence and intimidation and the offer of money or drugs. The use of debt is a common feature in the exploitation of children and adults.
Children are often groomed by a criminal who will give them money and gifts like clothes and mobile phones.
The thugs will then tell them they owe the group money and have to work off the debt.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has also had reports of kids being robbed of drugs by the very gangs they work for in staged robberies. They then believe they are in debt to the group.
However, some take part willingly to earn cash - one British police force reported that a child had received £500 per week as a runner.
How bad is the problem?
A report by the NCA states the county lines method has been reported in seven police force regions.
There were 827 people who have been convicted, cautioned or recently arrested identified as being involved in this type of activity.
A total of 548 of them were aged between 17 and 25, with 39 aged 16 or under.