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County lines gangs are a growing issue across the UK, exploiting young people and vulnerable adults to transport drugs from cities to smaller towns and rural areas. These gangs use manipulation, violence, and intimidation to maintain control, creating fear within communities. However, communities can take action to protect themselves from county lines and prevent gang activity from taking hold.

This article explores what county lines gangs are, their impact on young people, and the steps communities can take to stay safe and prevent exploitation.

What Are County Lines Gangs?

County lines is a term used to describe drug-dealing networks that move illegal substances from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. Gangs use dedicated mobile phone numbers, or "deal lines," to arrange drug sales and control their operations remotely.

Young people and vulnerable adults are often exploited into working for these gangs, transporting drugs and money between locations. This is known as "child criminal exploitation" (CCE), and it is a serious crime.

How Do County Lines Gangs Operate?

Gangs use several methods to establish and expand their operations, including:

• Grooming and Recruitment: Young people are often tricked into joining gangs through promises of money, protection, or friendship.
• Threats and Violence: Once recruited, gang members may be threatened or physically harmed if they try to leave.
• Cuckooing: Gangs take over the homes of vulnerable people, using them as bases for drug dealing.
• Transporting Drugs: Young people are forced to travel to different locations, often under dangerous conditions.

The Impact of County Lines on a Young Person

Being involved in a county lines gang can have a devastating effect on a young persons life. Lets look at the story of 14-year-old Jay.

Jay was approached by an older boy who seemed friendly and offered him free food and trainers. Over time, the older boy asked him to "do a favour" by carrying a small package to another area. At first, it felt exciting, but soon, Jay was being forced to travel far from home, threatened with violence, and told he owed the gang money.

Jays school noticed his frequent absences and changes in behaviour. A teacher spoke to him and encouraged him to talk to a youth worker. With support from the school and police, Jay was able to escape the gang safely.

Jays story is not unique many young people are trapped in county lines operations. However, with the right support, they can be helped.

How Can Communities Protect Themselves from County Lines?

Communities play a key role in preventing county lines activity. When residents, schools, and local organisations work together, they can make it harder for gangs to operate and protect vulnerable people from being exploited.

1. Raising Awareness

One of the most effective ways to prevent county lines is to educate people about the risks and warning signs. Schools, youth clubs, and community groups should talk openly about county lines, so young people understand how gangs operate.

Ways to raise awareness include:

• Delivering workshops in schools about grooming and exploitation.
• Providing parents with information on how to spot the signs of county lines activity.
• Running social media campaigns to reach young people online.

2. Spotting the Signs of Exploitation

Everyone in the community should be able to recognise the warning signs of county lines exploitation. Signs that a young person may be involved in county lines include:

• Regularly missing school or going missing for long periods.
• Having unexplained money, expensive clothes, or new possessions.
• Being secretive about their activities or new friendships.
• Receiving excessive phone calls or messages.
• Being found in locations far from home.

If you notice any of these signs in a friend, sibling, or classmate, it is important to tell a trusted adult or report it to the authorities.

3. Providing Safe Spaces for Young People

Gangs target young people who feel isolated or lack support at home. By creating positive spaces for teenagers, communities can reduce the chances of them being recruited by criminals.

Ways to provide safe spaces include:

• Funding more youth clubs and sports activities.
• Encouraging schools to provide after-school programmes.
• Setting up mentoring schemes to give young people guidance and role models.

4. Supporting Vulnerable Families

Many young people caught up in county lines come from challenging backgrounds, including poverty, neglect, or domestic abuse. Providing early intervention and family support can help prevent them from being drawn into gangs.

Support services can include:

• Family counselling and parenting support programmes.
• Financial assistance and access to food banks.
• Mental health support for young people facing stress or trauma.

5. Working with the Police and Authorities

Reporting county lines activity can help disrupt gang operations and protect young people. The police have dedicated teams that deal with child exploitation and gang crime.

Ways to report concerns include:

• Crimestoppers (0800 555 111): An anonymous way to report crime.
• Fearless.org: A website where young people can report concerns anonymously.
• Local police or community safety teams.

6. Preventing Cuckooing

Gangs often take over the homes of vulnerable people, using them as bases for drug dealing. This is called "cuckooing."

Signs of cuckooing include:

• Unusual visitors at a property at all hours.
• Residents appearing anxious or afraid.
• A sudden increase in antisocial behaviour in the area.

If you suspect a property is being used for cuckooing, report it to the police or local housing authority.

7. Encouraging Young People to Speak Out

Young people are often afraid to speak out against county lines gangs. Communities need to create environments where teenagers feel safe reporting concerns.

Encourage young people to:

• Talk to a trusted adult if they feel at risk.
• Use anonymous helplines to report gang activity.
• Look out for their friends and offer support if they seem involved in something dangerous.

Final Thoughts

County lines gangs thrive on fear, secrecy, and the vulnerability of young people. However, when communities work together, they can stop these gangs from taking hold.

By raising awareness, spotting warning signs, supporting young people, and reporting concerns, we can make our towns and cities safer places to live.

If you are worried about county lines activity in your area, speak up your voice could help protect someone from harm.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.