County Lines is where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries (although not exclusively), usually by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs. The ‘County Line’ is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. Importing areas (areas where the drugs are taken to) are reporting increased levels of violence and weapons-related crimes as a result of this trend.
Children or vulnerable people are often groomed to get involved in criminality and are unaware that they are victims. It is important that we all play our part to understand county lines, spot the signs and speak out if we have concerns.
Want to know more about #CountyLines? Using real experiences of our Essex young people, the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit created some films which show how these drug gangs operate. Understanding how to spot the signs of County Lines, can help protect those we love. Find out more at Essex County Lines website.