1. County Lines
County Lines supply class A drugs (primarily crack cocaine and heroin) from an urban hub into rural towns or county locations. This is facilitated by a group who may not necessarily be affiliated as a gang, but who have developed networks across geographical boundaries to access and exploit existing drugs markets in these areas. (County Lines, Violence, Exploitation and Drug Supply, National Crime Agency, 2017).
County Lines operate as drug dealing businesses and are motivated by profit.
Referred to as ‘going country’ ‘going cunch’ or ‘going OT’
How do they work? – Facilitated by the intro of a mobile phone number in a new area to extend drug dealing into new areas which are open markets – where demand is not saturated – larger areas like London are export hubs. Recent information suggests that smaller towns are becoming export hubs rather than just importing.
The Phone lines represent a gang's "brand“, do not change frequently, and are usually run from the their "home" city.
Hotlines are marketed using "business cards", while gang members exchange drugs for the phone numbers of known drug users, sending out blanket text messages.
Drug users from the new area will ring the number and local runners are then dispatched to make deliveries via a telephone "relay or exchange system", the report says.
Phone numbers can be used for a number of years, or even decades, and can be sold for up to £25,000.
One police expert estimated in 2015 that one line was earning £3,000 a day - or £21,000 a week - for a gang.
County Lines is a major cross cutting issue – covers the realms of drugs, violence, gangs/OCGs, safeguarding, exploitation, modern slavery, missing persons etc. involving a wide range of departments, agencies and organisations.
The group exploits young or vulnerable to achieve the storage and or supply of drugs, movement of financial proceeds and secure the use of dwellings (cuckooing).
Those exploited will frequently travel between the export hub and county market to replenish stock and deliver cash.
Children are exploited to act as runners and to conduct the day-to-day dealing on the streets. In some areas children as young as 8 reported.
The process of exploitation often involves deception, intimidation, violence (use of weapons inc. corrosive substances and firearms) , debt bondage and/or grooming.
Thought to be around 1000 across England and Wales.
County Lines have also helped to spread the violent culture of some metropolitan gangs into new locations and this has been the case in Suffolk.
Version 1 – July 2018

2. Urban Street Gangs
A relatively durable, predominantly street-based group of young people who:
(1) see themselves (and are seen by others) as a discernible group;
(2) engage in a range of criminal activity and violence;
(3) identify with or lay claim over territory;
(4) have some form of identifying structural feature, and
(5) are in conflict with other, similar, gangs.
(Dying to Belong, 2009)
Youth gangs are not a new phenomenon but governmental concern about their activity is relatively recent.
Increase in violence this year – particularly in inner city areas.
The term gang has been and is sometimes used indiscriminately by the media and criminal justice system.
Important that we do not label all peer groups as being a ‘gang’ – impact on YP in local community, perceptions of others/authorities – feeds into identity
This definition is used by Suffolk.

3. The Suffolk Picture
The picture in Suffolk, as elsewhere, evolves rapidly. Practitioners should be alert to the fact that this is the case, as the gangs and county line networks will adjust their tactics to avoid specific law enforcement or to gain greater market share.
Local concerns consist of two main elements which interact with each other.
Firstly, the emergence of at least two recognisable urban street gangs based in Ipswich and secondly the arrival of drug dealers travelling from drug export hubs to establish local drug dealing networks (County Lines).
In Suffolk these networks tend to be run from London. Over time the two elements have connected and interacted together resulting in some individuals including children and young people linked with Urban Street Gangs also being associated with County Lines
There is now some evidence of county lines activity in all parts of Suffolk.
Children, mainly from London are travelling to Suffolk to supply drugs or may be established in trap houses to deal them. There has also been an increase in the movement of local young people around Suffolk itself and into neighbouring counties
2 local groups – JB and Nacton – JB anyone and seems to be more organised and more closely linked with county lines activity. Nacton – community based, generational crime, fracturing within the groups into two gangs within the same postcode. Internal conflict
Cuckooing
Arrests for possession of Class A drugs, weapons, being in receipt of large amounts of money
Increased violence access to weapons
Rivalry and increased conflict
Competition and branding – music
Groups have become more organised and efficient akin to a business model – clear hierarchy (JB and emerging in Nacton)
Increased social competition – need to make money and maintain status / rep
Increased use of ‘trap houses’ often in multiples and across counties
Initially membership and involvement in county lines and gangs may allow young people to establish an identity and reputation amongst their peers (Harding, 2015). Young people involved often have an alias or ‘street name’ used regularly. While creating a degree of anonymity and a separation from ‘real life’ the use of street name creates and enhances reputation (‘rep’) and status particularly if the name represents a known ‘talent’ or threat.

4. Social Media Tool for promoting brand Music videos ‘Drill’
Quick time exchange of information
Enhances status and reputation
‘Snapchat’ – immediate post which disappears
Has been important in evolution of the gangs in Ipswich – widens the network - number of likes, shares etc increases status.
Can be used as an enticement for recruitment purposes.
Creates invitation to respond.
Videos of violence between groups.
Watching videos of ‘drill’ groups – drill is pro-violent, related to cooking up drugs and facing up to rivalries – provocative – removal of videos.
Professionals to educate on safe social media usage.

5. Why are we concerned? Impact
A child or young person who is affected by gang activity or serious youth violence can be at risk of significant harm.
Exploitation to commit crimes such as selling drugs, stealing phones etc.
Retaliatory violence.
Psychological harm due to the trauma gang members experience and witness.
Physical harm suffered – whilst committing a crime or due to drug debts.
Violence to assert authority in the local area.
Sexual violence and sexual exploitation.
Gangs operating county lines are targeting the most vulnerable in our communities; looked after children, pupil referral units and the homes of vulnerable adults and those with mental health issues.
Children are being subjected to debt bondage, threats and violence (knives as most common weapon).
Vulnerable adults are losing control of their homes through cuckooing.
Wider age range across the hierarchy (8 – 24+).
‘…gang activity generates considerable harm…generating a need for multi-agency responses, with Safeguarding at the very fore of priorities.’ (NCA, 2016)
Within the gang, violence, including sexual violence, may become normalised to a point where the threshold for tolerance is raised higher as the child or young person becomes desensitised to its impact. Violence is then used by them as a prevention and self-defence mechanism to maintain their own safety.
Involvement within gangs can lead to hyper-vigilance and weapon carrying in order to avoid victimisation The young person will feel it necessary to constantly risk assess to determine their level of safety out of a constant fear of retribution or being seen in another area. This high level of stress will unsurprisingly impact on their emotional well-being and sense of self- efficacy.
Children and young people involved in county lines or gangs face a high burden of mental illness. They are at increased risk of conduct disorder, anti-social personality disorder, anxiety, psychosis and substance misuse compared to other young people in the criminal justice system.
Long-term exposure to violence is also a risk factor for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Criminal exploitation and CSE

6. Spotting the Signs: How do we know when a young person is being exploited by a gang?
Who may notice?
What might they see?
Group discussion – 5 minutes Who would notice changes and how would they see the YP presenting?
Family, friends, teachers, GP, A&E staff, members of local community, police, CJS
Changes in presentation, attendance, behaviour, arrested, missing, located away from home, injuries, low mood, going out frequently for short periods, distanced from things that used to interest them, less time with family, clothes, money, language etc.

7. Girls and Gangs Used to hold or transport drugs or weapons
More likely to be asked to move drugs as thought to be less likely to be stopped
Usually in a relationship with or linked via family to a male associated with gangs / organised crime networks
Risk of CSE is increased
In some areas there is evidence that sex is exchanged for status within a gang
Sex has been used by some gangs ( no evidence in Suffolk) as part of the initiation process as a way to control, humiliate and demonstrate group loyalty
May be used to actively recruit new members locally
The Guardian, ( )
Multiple roles
Evidence that girls are being used to actively recruit other females to join local groups
Girls in this context are often viewed as a commodity
Across country have been used to hold weapons, book hire cars, set up accounts for laundered money.
Trafficked, trap houses, booking hotels for parties etc
Girls may be at risk of being exploited both violently and/or sexually due to gang associations with family members and peers. They may not recognise that they are at risk and may ‘idolise’ the male gang members who they perceive as having status and wealth. Others may not see any safe way out and know that the repercussions of telling anyone about what is happening will result in rape, physical violence or being branded or cast out by their peers. Some females from black and minority ethnic communities in particular, may not disclose the abuse to their parents for fear that they will be perceived to have brought shame on their family.
Whilst CSE is the most prevalent form of victimisation that girls will experience, they do not always present as obvious victims and may too be involved in criminal gang related behaviour (often as a result of their relationships, coercion and control). As a result of this young women can remain hidden because their vulnerability is not recognised. (Islington SCB 2016.)

8. What are the signs
Presenting with physical injuries and or refusal to seek/receive medical treatment.
Associating with peers who are involved/suspected to be involved in gang related activity.
Refuses/scared to enter certain areas.
Expressing aggressive or intimidating views towards other groups of young people (some of whom may have been friends in the past).
Multiple mobile phones/frequent change of phone number.
Frequently missing or missing for significant periods of time.
Travelling around a lot – seen in taxi’s regularly/being seen in cars (often hire cars), possibly with unknown adults, on a regular basis.
In possession of large amounts of unexplained money.
New clothes/trainers.
Drug related or violent offending involving weapons.
Sibling involvement.
Knowing what to look for
Be aware of changes
Gather as much details as possible

9. What to do if you suspect a child or young person is at risk of gang involvement or is involved with a gang?
Making a Referral to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
The Signs of Gang Involvement Screening Toolkit will assist in enabling practitioners to reach a reasonable working conclusion as to levels of risk.
Based on this assessment it may be necessary to make a referral to the MASH.
Professionals with concerns about a child or young person or vulnerable adult should follow the safeguarding referral protocols and procedures. Suffolk Youth Offending Service Consultancy and Advice is available from the Suffolk Youth Offending Service.
The Youth Offending Service also has access to specific resources to use with children and young people at risk of gang involvement and expertise in this area of work.
The Signs of Gang Involvement Screening Toolkit can be found within

10. Who do I contact? Talk to your Designated Safeguarding lead
Complete a Multi Agency Referral Form (MARF) and to:
(If you do not have a secure , the form should be password protected)
The MARF is available on the LSCB website
Any professional who is concerned that a child or young person may be at risk of, or is actually suffering, exploitation is able to make a referral to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) by completing a Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF). If the risk is imminent a referral can be made by telephone and then followed up with a completed MARF within 24 hours.
The redesigned MARF lists Child Sexual Exploitation amongst a number of risk factors also including E-safety, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking, Vulnerability to Radicalisation, and Gang Related activity. The MARF provides a hyperlink to the Child Exploitation area on the Suffolk LSCB website which enables access for professional guidance and the Child Sexual Exploitation Risk Assessment toolkit. The LSCB website also has guidance for professionals in respect of all other forms of exploitation.
When making a referral, in which child sexual exploitation is thought to be a risk factor, the referrer is prompted to complete the Child Exploitation Toolkit, provide any further information that may be available, and to rate the risk to the child by use of a ‘drop down’ box at the end of the form. Guidance as to how to proceed with other forms of exploitations is included on the LSCB website.
On review of the form the child may be considered by police colleagues as being a potential victim of a sexual or other crime which would identify them as being potentially vulnerable to exploitation. In such circumstances the attending officer/s or member of police staff will submit a Police child referral to the MASH. Where the officer identifies indicators of potential CSE they will also flag this on the investigation record.
Where the referral indicates a risk of CSE, the Safeguarding Manager is informed and a safeguarding strategy meeting is arranged involving the Make a Change Team (MAC team) and the Specialist Team who are allocated the Section 47/Statutory Assessment.
If you have an urgent safeguarding concern you should contact Customer First: (Professional Referral line) OR
(Members of the Public Referral line).
In an emergency you should call 999 and ask for the Police.

11. Useful Contacts MASH Professional Consultation Line
Make A Change (MAC)
Tel:
Suffolk Youth Offending Service (YOS)
Diversion Referral Information:
Ipswich
Bury St Edmunds
Lowestoft
MASH Professional Consultation Line
Tel:
LSCB Website
Suffolk Police
Tel: 101 or 999 in an emergency

12. Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHKccU2NYDQ
People-at-Risk-of-Gang-Involvement.doc.pdf
young-people