county lines

County Lines in the UK: Revision Pack for Mastermind

Introduction

"County lines" refers to a form of criminal exploitation in which urban drug gangs expand their operations into smaller towns and rural areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines to facilitate drug sales. This phenomenon has become a significant issue across the UK, often involving the exploitation of vulnerable children and young people who are coerced into trafficking drugs, money, and weapons. This revision pack will guide you through the key concepts, historical background, impacts, and the efforts being made to tackle county lines.

What Are County Lines?

Definition:
County lines refers to the practice where organised crime gangs from large urban areas, such as London, Birmingham, and Liverpool, extend their drug operations into smaller towns and rural areas, often using a specific telephone number or "line" to communicate with customers.

Key Features:

Exploitation of Vulnerable People: Gangs often recruit young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and coerce them into transporting drugs across counties.
"Cuckooing": This is a common tactic where gangs take over the homes of vulnerable individuals (often drug addicts or people with mental health issues) in order to use them as bases for selling drugs.
Dedicated Phone Lines: Gangs use a single phone number, the "county line," to take orders from customers, and this number is often advertised widely among drug users in the area.

Key Concepts

Grooming and Exploitation:
- Criminal gangs recruit young people, often under 18, through promises of money, status, or protection. In many cases, the young people are then manipulated, threatened, or coerced into becoming drug couriers or runners.
- Children from broken homes, those in care, or young people facing financial difficulties are often targeted.
Cuckooing:
- This refers to gangs taking over the home of a vulnerable person (the "cuckoo"), usually by force or coercion, and using it as a base for selling drugs. The victim may be kept under duress or manipulated into allowing the gang to use their property.
Cross-Border Drug Trafficking:
- The term "county lines" is derived from the transportation of drugs from urban areas into more rural counties or smaller towns. Criminal gangs exploit transport systems like trains, buses, and taxis to move drugs across borders undetected.
Debt Bondage:
- Once involved in drug running, young people are often trapped through a process of debt bondage. They might be told they owe money for drugs that have been lost or confiscated, forcing them to continue working for the gang to "pay off" their debts.

Historical Background

Urban Drug Markets: County lines gangs originate from urban centres where drug markets have become saturated and increasingly competitive. In order to expand their profit margins, gangs began targeting smaller, less policed areas where demand for drugs remains high.
Emergence of County Lines:
- County lines began gaining attention in the UK around 2014, but the practice likely predates this. The introduction of technology, such as mobile phones and encrypted messaging apps, enabled gangs to efficiently run remote operations in rural areas without needing to be physically present.
- The increase in county lines activity has been linked to rising levels of knife crime and violence, particularly in inner cities, as well as growing social inequalities.
Drugs Market: The county lines model mainly involves the trafficking of Class A drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine, but other drugs, such as cannabis and ecstasy, are also involved.

Vulnerable Individuals Targeted by County Lines

Children and Young People:
- The most commonly exploited group are young people, often between the ages of 12 and 18, though children as young as 7 have been drawn into county lines activity. Many are recruited from schools, care homes, or through social media.
Homeless People:
- Homeless individuals are often targeted for "cuckooing," where gangs take over their accommodation to use as a base for dealing drugs.
Drug Addicts and Vulnerable Adults:
- Individuals who are addicted to drugs or have mental health problems are also targeted, as they are seen as easy to control or manipulate.

Key Tactics Used by County Lines Gangs

Transport Networks:
- Gangs typically use children and young people to transport drugs between cities and rural areas, often via trains or buses, making it difficult for authorities to detect. The young people are instructed to conceal drugs inside their bodies or belongings.
Intimidation and Violence:
- Violence is used to maintain control over both the exploited individuals and rival gangs. Children and young people involved in county lines are often at risk of physical harm, and some are groomed to carry weapons, such as knives or firearms.
Mobile Phone Communication:
- Gangs rely on mobile phones to organise drug transactions. The "county line" phone number is usually controlled by the gang leaders in urban areas, while young runners in rural areas are sent to deliver drugs and collect money.
Social Media Recruitment:
- Social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp are increasingly being used to groom and recruit young people into county lines operations. Gangs often glamorise their lifestyle online, enticing vulnerable young people into their networks.

Impact of County Lines

On Children and Families:
- Many young people involved in county lines operations face violence, intimidation, and the trauma of criminal exploitation. They often suffer from emotional, psychological, and physical harm.
- Families are left dealing with the consequences, including fear for their children’s safety, emotional distress, and potential legal ramifications if their child is caught by the authorities.
On Local Communities:
- Small towns and rural areas impacted by county lines often see an increase in violence, antisocial behaviour, and drug-related crime.
- Gangs can introduce a climate of fear within communities, with residents feeling unsafe due to the visible presence of gangs and the risks associated with drug dealing.
On Law Enforcement:
- Police forces, especially in rural areas, often face significant challenges in tackling county lines gangs due to resource limitations and the complexity of the operations, which span multiple jurisdictions.

Efforts to Tackle County Lines

National Crime Agency (NCA):
- The NCA plays a key role in coordinating law enforcement efforts to dismantle county lines operations across the UK. They work closely with local police forces and social services to identify and support victims while disrupting the criminal networks involved.
Project Guardian and Operation Orochi:
- Project Guardian is a London Metropolitan Police initiative focused on targeting and dismantling county lines networks. It has led to significant arrests and disruption of gang activity.
- Operation Orochi, led by the NCA, is aimed at identifying and targeting the line-holders, often high-level individuals who control the county lines operations from a distance.
Modern Slavery Legislation:
- Many young people involved in county lines are considered victims of modern slavery, as they are being exploited by gangs. Modern slavery legislation is increasingly being used to prosecute gang members and protect vulnerable children.
Education and Prevention:
- Schools, local councils, and youth organisations play an important role in raising awareness about county lines and helping young people recognise the dangers of being recruited. Charities like The Children’s Society and Barnardo’s also provide support for at-risk youth and their families.

Key Figures and Organisations in the Fight Against County Lines

National Crime Agency (NCA):
- The NCA is responsible for leading national efforts to combat serious and organised crime, including county lines drug trafficking. They work closely with local police and social services.
Metropolitan Police:
- London’s Metropolitan Police has been at the forefront of county lines investigations, particularly through operations like Project Guardian.
Children’s Society:
- This charity is heavily involved in raising awareness about county lines exploitation and supporting victims, particularly young people drawn into the gangs.
Home Office:
- The UK government, through the Home Office, has launched several initiatives aimed at addressing county lines, including increased funding for police forces and programmes to support vulnerable children.

Key Terms

Cuckooing: The practice where gangs take over the home of a vulnerable person to use it as a base for drug dealing.
Runner: A young person or child recruited by a gang to transport drugs and money between locations.
County Line: A specific phone number used by gangs to organise drug transactions and communications in different areas.
Modern Slavery: A term used to describe the exploitation and control of individuals through threats, violence, or coercion. Many young people involved in county lines are now recognised as victims of modern slavery.

Practice Questions for Mastermind

What does the term "county lines" refer to in the context of organised crime in the UK?
What is the practice of "cuckooing," and how is it used in county lines operations?
Which UK government department is primarily responsible for coordinating the fight against county lines?
What are some of the key challenges police forces face when trying to combat county lines?
Name one charity or organisation involved in supporting young people affected by county lines exploitation.

Conclusion
County lines drug operations represent a serious criminal and social issue in the UK, exploiting vulnerable individuals and spreading violence and drug-related crime across the country. As you revise for your Mastermind quiz, focus on the key concepts, including the methods used by gangs, the individuals targeted for exploitation, and the steps being taken by law enforcement and organisations to tackle this growing problem.