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County Lines

 

County Lines refers to a criminal activity in the United Kingdom where urban drug dealers exploit young and vulnerable individuals, often from smaller towns or rural areas, to transport and sell drugs in other regions or counties. These dealers establish a network that stretches across county boundaries, hence the name "County Lines."

 

It is a form of drug trafficking that can involve coercion, violence, and exploitation of minors, posing significant challenges to law enforcement and social services in tackling this illicit trade and its associated harm.

county lines drug trafficking child criminal exploit \

The criminal exploitation of children includes a combination of:

 

Pull factors: children performing tasks for others resulting in them gaining accommodation, food, gifts, status or a sense of safety, money or drugs; 

 

Push factors: children escaping from situations where their needs are neglected and there is exposure to unsafe individuals, where there is high family conflict or the absence of a primary attachment figure.

 

Control: Brainwashing, violence and threats of violence by those exploiting the child particularly when the child or young person is identified by the police, they are expected to take full responsibility for the offences for which they are charged – i.e. possession and supply of illegal substances.

 

The majority of children or young people who enter into exploitation do so willingly however, their involvement is indicative of coercion or desperation rather than choice. Many young people do not recognise that they are being exploited or that they are at risk. 

What is criminal exploitation?

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