County Lines workshop

This workshop described the astonishing facts and figures about this criminal network.

At least 3 Million people or 9% of the population used drugs last year
45% of acquisitive crime is linked to drugs
Around 50% of all homicides in 2018/19 were known to be drug related
More than a 1/3 of people in prison are there because of drug related crime

Drug dealers use the county lines system, which in turn uses children and/or vulnerable adults to move and store drugs. Criminals will often use coercion, violence (including sexual violence) weapons.

Police found

1105 drug dealing lines
581 line names or ‘brands’ (gangs)
7.6 % of lines linked to firearms
6.3 % of lines linked to serious violence
24 % of lines linked to cuckooing

The biggest drug exporters are

Metropolitan Police area
West Midlands Police area
Greater Manchester Police area
West Yorkshire

2529 individuals were linked to known deal lines of which

81.8 % were male
14.6 % female
16.3 % below 18

Criminals use various methods to get hold of accommodation but if you find that you are suddenly having neighbours which

get a lot of cars, bikes, coming and going
short-term visitors at all times
noise and ASB
curtains always drawn
many young people without parents

You should report this to your local police. You may use the Twitter account @MetCC, which also accepts pictures or use our own anonymous reporting tool, which also accepts pictures.

Our best advice is to stop using drugs at the earliest opportunity.