#ACTYVE_CountyLines
Safeguarding young people and working to reduce youth crime and gang violence is what we do at Activating Creative Talent. As it is Exploitation Awareness Week, we are going to be talking about County Lines and Criminal Exploitation.
What is County Lines?
County line is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other forms of ‘deal lines’. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation and violence (including sexual violence and weapons).
Source: Home Office September
England Map Of Some County Line Routes
County Lines is a drug telephone line or drug house that is active in rural areas that have the sole purpose of distributing drugs in that area.
► These telephone lines are given to young people from the ages of 12 -21 (12-16 in London) they are sent to addresses out of county, often smaller towns or villages and made to sell drugs for a percentage of the profit.
► These young people are often met by a drug addict local to the area, who will either let them use their property to sell from or help them navigate through the area.
Who is being targeted?
Anyone can be targeted and exploited however young people are most likely to be targeted, especially if they fit into any of these bullet points.
► Young men from the ages 12- 21.
► Young people aged between 15-16 are the most common. (Both male and female)
► People from deprived backgrounds.
► Young People excluded from school & Persistent absentees
► White British Children
Why County Lines?
There are many reasons why criminals are exploiting vulnerable people and using county lines. Some examples are;
► Drugs are worth more in rural areas and there is more demand.
► Less risk as they believe they are not committing a crime.
► Cover more territory and earn more daily.
► First offence or slap on the wrist as they are a child.
► Young people arouse less suspicion. (Especially young girls)
How are young people getting involved?
Some vulnerable get involved as they may already be in some sort of trouble and they are led to believe they will be protected. Or they were falsely advertised, tricked or forced to join.
- The person was a willing participant. (Possibly was lied to or falsely advertised)
- The person is tricked into a debt. (They might have had ‘help’ by someone involved and to pay them back, they are forced to take part)
- The person that has been groomed into thinking they are working alongside the individuals.
Vulnerability Factors.
Young people are easier to be exploited depending on how vulnerable they are. Some extra vulnerability factors are:
► Prior experience of neglect. (There wasn’t anyone to protect or safeguard them)
► Being excluded from school. (They may feel like they are not enough and easily manipulated)
► Lack of safe and stable home. (Looking for an escape from home and trusting the wrong people)
► Social isolation. (Again, there may be no one to support and protect the young person)
► Associates/connections. (Their peers may get other young people involved)
► Physical or learning difficulties.
► Mental health.
► Substance misuse.
► Homelessness.
► Being in care.
The Risks and Dangers of County Lines & Criminal Exploitation.
Being apart of exploitation and county lines is extremely dangerous. It can lead to more youth crime, gang violence and knife crime. And the amount of exploitation is being reported, the risk and act of youth crime is rapidly increasing. Some of the dangers are:
► Becoming a target for locals who suspect they are dealing.
► Becoming a target for the addicts who know they have a large quantity of drugs.
► Stepping on other dealer’s turf causing conflict and increased violence.
► Knife crime, gun crime and acid attacks increasing.
New Challenges when trying to combat County Lines and Exploitation.
Everyday there are new challenges the police, youth workers, medical services and industry professionals have to face when tackling the county lines and exploitation crisis. For example,
► Use of hotels, apartments, taxies and shops. (The ways of transporting drugs are forever changing, so industry professionals have to continued to keep up, be alert and try to be one step ahead)
► Complicit parents and families.
► Low sentences for young people or first-time offenders. (Which is why young people are being targeted)
► Multiple phones and drug lines.
► Language forever changing. (So much slang is being used, so it is a challenge to spot and understand the language that is associated with county lines.
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 (CCE) is common in county lines and occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control and 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 occur through the use of technology.
What to look out for?
There are many things you can look out for and be aware of when looking after or working with young people, such as:
► Going missing for long periods of time or being found out of area.
► Travelling to places far away.
► Have lots of money.
► New clothes and accessories.
► Receiving constant calls and texts.
► New friends, possibly older.
► Being reserved or seem like they have something to hide.
► Scared.
► Unexplained injuries
► Self harm/neglect
What to do if you are concerned about any young person in relation to County Lines or CCE
Any practitioner working with vulnerable people who they think may be at risk of county lines or child criminal exploitation (CCE), should follow the local safeguarding guidance and share information with local authority services. Or you can contact NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 5000
If you believe a person is in immediate risk of harm you should contact the Police on 999.
Another helpline dedicated to children is:
ChildLine: 0800 1111
Get Connected: 0808 808 4994 (text 80849).
References:
Criminal Exploitation of Children & Vulnerable Adults: County Lines Guidance
► National Crime Agency
► Childrens Society
► Fearless
https://www.fearless.org/en/campaigns/county-lines
Shout Out
Thank you to our lead mentor Solomon Griffiths on our Gangs and Youth Violence Course (Click here for more information http://www.actcic.org.uk/working-with-gangs-youth-violence-award-course/ ) for this information about County Lines.
