What's county lines?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation. It refers to gangs using children and vulnerable adults to move, hold, and sell drugs across the UK. 

It's known as county lines because children travel across counties and use dedicated mobile phone 'lines' to supply drugs.

Children might start because they get money or gifts. It could also happen because of a sexual or violent relationship with someone who's manipulating them.

Involvement in county lines can happen to any child, regardless of age, gender, or class, and it happens everywhere.

Although children might break the law while involved in county lines, it's a form of child criminal exploitation.

As a parent or carer, you know if something is a change for your child. There's specific behaviour related to county lines, it's important to talk to your child and support services about:

• Regularly going missing from their school, home or care.
• Being aware that they're travelling to unfamiliar locations.
• Noticing money, clothes, accessories, or mobile phones they've received and being unable to explain why or where they came from.
• Having several mobile phone handsets or sim cards.

If you're feeling worried, trust your instincts and talk to your child about it.

As part of our role in the safeguarding team, we deliver a County Lines session to Year 6 children during County Lines Awareness week. This is usually during the summer term.

Resources that we use can be found here: Not in our Community

Guidance and reference: 

• NSPCC - County Lines & Exploitation