‘County Lines’

What is it? ‘County Lines’ is a national issue involving the use of mobile phone ‘lines’ by groups to extend their drug dealing business into new locations outside of their home areas. A ‘county lines’ enterprise almost always involves exploitation of vulnerable persons; this can involve both children and adults who require safeguarding. There is a need for a multi-agency approach at a national, regional and local level. Secure operating bases are an essential feature of these enterprises which can be successfully disrupted through concerted application of conventional law enforcement tactics.

Features

What is happening? Gang members go to a new location outside of their home area, where a profitable drug market is identified. Here they set up a form of franchise; market their product by a single named telephone number or ‘line’, and establish new bases for rest, refuge, storage and distribution of drugs, weapons and money. These bases are secured through coercion, violence and exploitation of vulnerable people. Local children and vulnerable adults are often used as ‘runners’, or forced labour. Conflict occurs with local dealers, or where other ‘County Line’ enterprises are also attempting to exploit the same market, and serious violence is commonplace (NCA 2015, NCA 2016).

OCG Migration

Who is involved? Gang members involved in County Lines can come from any race, ethnicity or background. Involved mostly young people aged between 14 and 25 years old. Individuals from urban areas (Liverpool/ Manchester/ London/ Birmingham/ Leeds). Young people who have grown up in poverty.

Exploitation

Video – ‘Trapped’ Video - Trapped

‘Cuckooing’

What is it? ‘Cuckooing’ is the term used to describe the practise where drug dealers take over the property of a vulnerable person and use it as a place from which to run their business. Vulnerable tenants will be targeted, potentially as a result of substance abuse, mental health issues, or loneliness. Drug dealers will target these individuals and offer them free drugs, sexual favours, or their company for use of their property to sell drugs from. As the victims of cuckooing are vulnerable, they are often fearful of going to the police and worry that they will be incriminated in the criminality.

What to look out for? It usually takes place in a multi-occupancy or social housing property There may be an increase in the number of comings and goings, including people you haven't seen before There might be new vehicles outside the property An increase in anti-social behaviour in and around the property Unknown people in possession of keys to the property

‘The Safe House’ Whilst the drug dealers are using the address they will exploit and take advantage of vulnerable tenants. They have been known to make threats towards tenants, keep weapons in the property and coax tenants into committing crimes such as shoplifting (clothing for them), drug running, and assaults. The dealers will take over the property, sometime forcing the tenant out and taking control of the keys.

MDS legislation must be considered Police Action For a long time police have taken a ‘catch and convict’ approach to dealing with this crime type. This results in vulnerable people being arrested and on occasion charged and convicted for various offences. MDS legislation must be considered

National Referral Mechanism For adults, the NRM form should be submitted if the vulnerable person is willing. The form should be completed by a DC in conjunction with BAWSO. If the adult subject is not willing to enter the NRM then a Duty to Notify form should be submitted. In all cases where the victim is a minor NRM must be completed and referral made to Barnardos who will allocate an Independent Child Trafficking Advocate (ICTA). A crime will be recorded in these circumstances under MDS legislation

National Referral Mechanism