#druggangs

ISABEL WAS 25 when she left Medellín, in Colombia, for what she thought was a job at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic. The advert on Facebook had promised good pay and said recruiters would cover her flight. She saw it as a way to support her daughter and unemployed parents. But when she arrived, a man took her passport and said she owed $6,000 for the journey. The debt, he said, could only…

Criminal gangs are targeting children to move drugs and money in and out of cities and large towns. This is a national issue, but we need to be aware of criminal gangs, and to be able to spot the signs that our children may be being targeted.

These criminals are targeting children as young as 8-12 years old. They target children across all economic, ethnic and social groups.

What does County Lines mean?

'County Lines' refer to the use of telephone/mobile numbers circulated to users in a particular area for ordering drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine (although cannabis and MDMA are also used). The telephone number is usually operated from outside the area. This is how the group builds their brand. Unlike other criminal activities where telephone numbers are changed on a regular basis, these telephone numbers are maintained and protected, often by gangs and organised crime groups which ‘target’ the areas, either because they have a good illegal economy (for example, a large number of drug users) or because they have decent transport links to London.

Young people will rarely say that they are running a ‘County Line’ or ‘Country Line’. They are more likely to say that they are ‘Running a Line’ ‘Going Cunch’ or ‘Going O.T.’ (which stands for Over There, Out There or Outta Town).

County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving drugs, violence, gangs, safeguarding, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern slavery, and missing persons; and the response to tackle it involves the police, the National Crime Agency, a wide range of Government departments, local government agencies and VCS (voluntary and community sector) organisations.

The UK Government defines county lines as:

County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.

County lines activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.

What is Child Criminal Exploitation?

Child criminal exploitation is increasingly used to describe this type of exploitation where children are involved, and is defined as:

Child Criminal Exploitation is common in county lines and occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

Criminal exploitation of children is broader than just county lines, and includes for instance children forced to work on cannabis farms or to commit theft.

 Who can be targeted by criminal gangs, and how do they target our children?

The national picture on county lines continues to develop but there are recorded cases of:

• children as young as 12 years old being exploited or moved by gangs to courier drugs out of their local area; 15-16 years is the most common age range

• both males and females being exploited

• white British children being targeted because gangs perceive they are more likely to evade police detection but a person of any ethnicity or nationality may be exploited

• the use of social media to make initial contact with children and young people

• class A drug users being targeted so that gangs can takeover their homes (known as ‘cuckooing’).

We do know that county lines exploitation is widespread, with gangs from big cities including London, Manchester and Liverpool operating throughout England, Wales and Scotland. 

What makes someone vulnerable?

Gangs are known to target vulnerable children and adults; some of the factors that heighten a person’s vulnerability include:

• having prior experience of neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse

• lack of a safe/stable home environment, now or in the past (domestic violence or parental substance misuse, mental health issues or criminality, for example)

• social isolation or social difficulties

• economic vulnerability

• homelessness or insecure accommodation status

• connections with other people involved in gangs

• having a physical or learning disability

• having mental health or substance misuse issues;

• being in care (particularly those in residential care and those with interrupted care histories)

• being excluded from mainstream education, in particular attending a Pupil Referral Unit.

What are the signs that your child may be being targeted by criminal gangs?

A young person’s involvement in county lines activity often leaves signs. A person might exhibit some of these signs, either as a member or as an associate of a gang dealing drugs. Any sudden changes in a person’s lifestyle should be discussed with them.

Some potential indicators of county lines involvement and exploitation are listed below, with those at the top of particular concern:

• persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area

• unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones

• excessive receipt of texts / phone calls and/or having multiple handsets

• relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups

• leaving home / care without explanation

• suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries

• parental concerns

• carrying weapons

• significant decline in school results / performance

• gang association or isolation from peers or social networks

• self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being.

What are County Lines, and who can be targeted? See our article giving full information on County Lines, what they are, and who could be targeted by these criminal gangs.

What can you do as a parent?

It is important to remember that you are not to blame, criminal groups exploit the young, the vulnerable and those that are within easy reach. No matter how confident or secure you may feel the child in your care is, the group will present themselves as whatever is missing, or with what the child wants or feels that they need. However, once they have them, often their treatment of your child will change to coercion, bullying and exploitation.

It’s important to remember that the child is just as much a victim and there are things you can do to help stop your child from being involved or to help them get out.

Here are some helpful tips:

¨ Talk to your child and listen – you are looking for open, honest and non-judgemental communication without anger

¨ Encourage them to get involved in positive activities and to think about their future and employment

¨ Get involved in your child’s school activities

¨ Know your child’s friends and their families

¨ Always know where your child is and who they are with

¨ Help them to cope with pressure and how to deal with conflict without the use of violence

¨ Speak to them about the serious consequences of violent or illegal behaviour

¨ Help them to understand the dangers of being in a gang and find alternative constructive ways to use their time

¨ Keep lines of communication open

¨ Be aware of what your child is doing on the internet

¨ Look for ways of disciplining children that do not involve harshness, anger or violence

¨ Work with other parents and schools to watch their behaviour

¨ Talk about your child’s behaviour with their school and other parents

What can you do to help your child?

If you suspect your child is already involved, remember that they may not want to talk about it or may be scared. It is important that they know you want to listen and support them. Make sure they know they have a choice. Stay calm, ask questions, but listen too. Don’t be afraid of confrontation, but try not to approach them with anger and accusations. Try to understand the situation from their point of view and why they have joined the gang. Ask them what you can do to help. Try to agree on what they should do next. Work with them to find solutions and choices.

What will happen if you report your child?

If you are concerned that your child is being exploited or is at risk of being exploited by gangs then you can refer in for support and guidance.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Children’s Services Department have a specialist team that can provide education, guidance and support and we treat this all children as victims first.

Who can you call?

If you wish to tell us something then you can contact us on the below email address:

Email: [email protected]

If you have a safeguarding concern, then a referral can be made to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub:

Email: [email protected]

Tele: 01702 215007

A new hotline number – 01245 452058 

If you are worried, please call us. You will not be wasting our time. A team of Essex Police officers and staff are on standby to listen, help and offer advice. The line is open Monday to Friday 08:00-16:00 with a voicemail facility outside of these hours.

If you need to report a crime then please ring the Police on 101 and in an emergency call 999.