County Lines Drug Dealing

County Lines Drug Dealing

GOING COUNTRY OR GOING LONG?

If you hear these words, it’s time to step in and stop county lines.

What is a county line?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation. It is when criminals befriend children, either online or offline, and then manipulate them into drug dealing. The 'lines' refer to mobile phones that are used to control a young person who is delivering drugs, often to towns outside their home county.

How to spot the signs in young people:

Are they regularly missing from school or home?

Do they suddenly have new clothes, phones, or lots of cash? Or do they have more than one phone?

Do they have bruises or injuries they can’t explain?

Do they change the story or become secretive about where they’re going?

Are they potentially under the influence of drugs or alcohol?

Have they been seen begging in a public place?

How do you know if County Lines drug dealing is happening in your area?

Gangs exploit vulnerable adults and young people. Talk to us if you see this happening in your local area:

• An increase in visitors and cars to a house or flat
• More bikes, e-scooters, or off-road bikes outside a property
• New faces appearing at the house or flat
• New and regularly changing residents (e.g. different accents compared to local accent)
• Change in resident's mood and/or demeanour (e.g. secretive/withdrawn/aggressive/emotional)
• Substance misuse and/or drug paraphernalia
• Residents or young people you know going missing, maybe for long periods of time
• Young people seen in different cars/taxis driven by unknown adults
• Young people seeming unfamiliar with your community or where they are
• An increase in anti-social behaviour in the community

Other ways to report County Lines:

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or risk of harm dial 999 now.

You can also contact the police by calling 101 or talking to us online via Live Chat

fearless.org provides young people with a safe space where you can give information about crime 100% anonymously 24/7, 365 days a year.

To report crime anonymously call 0800 555 111 or search ‘Crimestoppers’. The service is 100% anonymous and can help provide information to the police.

If crime is happening or you see anti-social behaviour while on public transport text 81018, or call 999 in an emergency.

You can report any concerns to the social care team at the local council. Search ‘local council’ to find yours.

Learn more about County Lines and child exploitation on The Children’s Society website childline.org.uk 0800 1111

It’s important to #LookCloser and report your concerns.
Suspect county lines, call us on 101 or visit our website to report www.west-midlands.police.uk

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Mehwish Baber 32215
(West Midlands Police, PCSO, Northfield)