County Lines- Criminal Exploitation Explored
County Lines is an increasingly concerning issue affecting children and young people across the UK. Criminal networks are growing rapidly meaning the impact to the local and wider community is only going to continue to significantly increase. Adults can also involved in county lines activity as victims.
But what is County Lines?
County Lines is a form of criminalisation. By Police definition it refers to the practice of urban drug gangs expanding their operations into other areas, using dedicated mobile phones lines to facilitate drug distribution. These gangs seek out, recruit and exploit children and young people to act as couriers for their drugs. Many of these children are groomed with gifts, money, or friendship before being trapped in cycles of debt, coercion, violence and often sexual exploitation.
In this white paper we will be discussing county lines, recognising signs, the risks involved and prevention methods.
90% of English police forces have seen county lines activity in their area and the violence is only getting worse. This only proves how important it is to understand more about county lines and the effects on vulnerable children and young people across the UK.
How County Lines Networks Operate
These criminal networks exploit children and young people to increase their profits while minimising their direct involvement in drug distribution. This allows them to evade detection and prosecution, as the young people do the majority of the work and take the most risk.
The perpetrators will use dedicated phone lines to help facilitate county line drug deals. The phones, often cheap, are known as burner phones and can be disposed of or changed frequently to avoid detection by the police.
The perpetrators will use the phone to receive orders and contact the young people to tell them where to deliver drugs. This is often not limited to the local area and can mean the young person is delivering to another county.
The gangs may also coerce or force vulnerable adults into letting them use their home as a base to deal drugs. This is known as ‘Cuckooing’. The vulnerable adult is often someone who suffers from substance use or mental health problems, be elderly or disabled or be in debt to the gang.
To start gangs will often groom the child or young person to bring them into their drugs operations. This often involves them:
Seeking out a child to exploit.
Observing the child for vulnerabilities.
Finding out what the child’s needs and wants are.
Manipulating the child into believing that the gang will allow them to fulfil their needs and wants.
Once they have singled out a child the gang will make contact, this can be in person, via phone or online. When using online tactics, the gang may use social media to glamorise the gang and their life, to entice the young person.
The Risks Involved
Criminalisation
County lines exploitation often overlaps with other forms of abuse and criminal activity, including child sexual exploitation and trafficking. This can lead to significant risk of both physical harm and long-term psychological trauma for the young peoples involved.
County lines is a form of child abuse but due to unconscious bias and adultification, children are often criminalised rather than being safeguarded so that they get the support and protection that they need.
Substance Debt
Perpetrators often use drugs and alcohol to entice young people into their networks. In some cases, the young people are tricked into incurring drug debts, that they have to pay off through county line and gang activity.
Physical and Sexual abuse
County lines is often linked to the following violent acts:
Knife and gun crime
The use of substance as a weapon, such as acid
Homicide
Conflicts often break out between rival gangs fighting over the control of an area, resulting in serious injury or death for young people who get caught up in it.
Some perpetrators will force children to transport drugs in invasive, harmful ways, usually by making them swallow bags of drugs to transport them. In some cases, the practice of ‘plugging’ is used. This is where they will insert drugs into a child's rectum or vagina, this is considered sexual abuse and can sometime result in the death of the child.
The sexual abuse doesn’t always stop with the act of ‘plugging’, children and young people are often exploited for sexual gains.
Financial Exploitation
Gangs will often launder money from drug sales by using a child’s bank account. They will either persuade or force the child to use their existing one or open up a new one specifically for this goal. Since the bank account is in the child’s name it distances the perpetrator more from the criminal act and further incriminates the child or young person.
Recognising the signs
With county lines becoming an increasingly significant issue within the UK it is important to understand how to protect our children and young people from going through this abuse. Here are some tips on how to recognise the signs a child may be being groomed for county lines:
Behavioural Signs:
Going missing from home or school for extended periods
Sudden changes in friendships or associations with older individuals
Frequent travel to unfamiliar locations, often by train or taxi
Unexplained acquisition of money, new clothes, or expensive items
Using new slang or coded language related to drugs or gangs
Increased secrecy around their activities and mobile phone use
Carrying multiple phones or SIM cards
Fearful, anxious, or withdrawn behaviour, particularly after receiving calls or messages.
Physical and Emotional Signs:
Signs of physical assault or injuries with vague explanations
Extreme tiredness or changes in sleeping patterns
Increased anxiety, paranoia, or aggressive behaviour
Displaying signs of distress, such as self-harm or withdrawal from family and friends.
Environmental and Social Signs:
Associating with known gang members or involvement in criminal activity
Staying in unsafe accommodation (e.g., trap houses or hotels)
Carrying weapons or showing a sudden interest in self-defence
Having tickets, receipts, or maps for unexplained travel.
Reporting
If you have concerns that a child or young person might be or is at risk of being exploited by county line gangs, you must share your concerns by:
If you have concerns but are unsure, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. They are child protection specialists and will be able to answer any questions, support you and advise you on the next steps, or make referrals to children services and the police.
If you have concerns but the child isn’t in immediate danger, contact your local child protection services. Their details can be found on your local authority websites.
If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999.
If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice about gangs or anything else that’s worrying them, you can always direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online.
Tips for preventing county lines
Educate and Raise Awareness – Educate children and young people about the dangers of county lines. By raising awareness of the risks, they can reconise the warning signs and understand the risks of being involved in a gang.
Strengthen Community Support – Foster strong supportive relationships within the communty. Encourage open conversations between schools, families and local organisations to build a network of support who can identify the signs and protect vulnerable individuals.
Encourage Open Communication - Create a safe space for children and young people to discuss their feelings, concerns, pressures and experiences.
Support Vulnerable individuals within the community – Work closely with vulnerable individuals, such as those with mental health struggles, or substance abuse issues, to ensure they don’t become easy targets.
Monitor and Educate about Online Use - Be vigilant about the use of social media and online platforms. Encourage children to be cautious about interactions with strangers online and promote safe internet use.
Report Suspicious Activity - If you suspect that a young person is being exploited by county line gangs, it is vital you report your concerns immediately.
By taking proactive steps and being vigilant we can safeguard children and young people, keeping them safe from harm and ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
If you have any concerns about the issues raised in the white paper or need any help or advice, please get in touch. Our team offer full support and training around issues such as this and are able to advise and train employers and employees on safeguarding those experiencing this.