It's a sad fact that residents across Shropshire and Herefordshire are reading stories related to county lines drug dealing with alarming regularity. Inner-city drug gangs dealing heroin, crack cocaine and other Class A drugs are expanding their operations into rural areas at an alarming rate.
Earlier this month, the Shropshire Star reported on three “County Lines lieutenants” in Oswestry receiving a combined 15 years of jail time for drugs offenses. Last year, a joint police operation between West Mercia Police and West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit put county lines offenders behind bars for a total of 251 years, reported by the Hereford Times.
But how many fully understand this disturbing trend in criminal activity? And how much of it is driven by the cost of living crisis?
The cost of living crisis continues to wreak havoc with most household budgets but families who were already struggling financially perhaps most keenly feel the effects. Rampant, seemingly ever-increasing inflation, coupled with sweeping cuts to youth support and other public services, has created the perfect storm for gangs looking to recruit young and older vulnerable people. County lines gangs will often offer “free gifts” in the form of a new mobile phone or the latest trainers as a way of enticing and entrapping new recruits.
Sara Cunningham, director of Diversify, a charity running anti-grooming workshops in schools across the UK, recently told The Observer: “You’ve got children whose families can’t afford school meals, and they are outside, hungry and cold. Someone in nice trainers turns up and gets them a burger or a warm coat. That’s often how they are being recruited.”
The video (below) from It's A Penalty, a charity campaigning against abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking, explains the threat in more detail.
A county lines drug network is where gangs and groups of drug networks supply drugs from urban to suburban areas across the county, including market towns, coastal areas, and rural locations, using dedicated mobile phone lines or “deal lines”. These are referred to as “county lines” as they link one county to another within a drug network.
Many of us will go our whole lives without any contact with criminal activity whatsoever, leaving us with no idea about how somebody we knew might behave if they were to become ensnared by the county lines trap. Catching somebody with a weapon, or taking illegal drugs, would be among the most obvious signs to spot, of course, but there are also some less obvious tells.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, always dial 999. The following organisations offer support and advice related to county lines and other youth exploitation.
Crimestoppers
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
Frank
Get honest and open information from Frank on their website.
#knifefree
The #knifefree campaign is part of the Home Office’s work to reduce knife crime among young people. There is a dedicated #Knifefree website at www.knifefree.co.uk which provides advice, signposts support services and highlights activities to empower young people to change their behaviour.
The Mix
The Mix offers support and advice to under-25s on a range of issues. Check out their website here.
