Police issue drugs warning
Crimestoppers Scotland is appealing to Renfrewshire residents affected by so-called County Line drug dealing networks to get in touch
The charity has launched a campaign to raise awareness of County Lines, which is when criminals from major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, London and Birmingham expand their drug networks to other areas, bringing with it serious criminal behaviour such as violence, exploitation and abuse.
The term County Lines refers to the use of a single telephone number to order drugs, operated from outside the local area.
This is having a massive impact on rural communities, and also on vulnerable children and adults who are being recruited in cities such as Manchester and Liverpool.
They then transport cash and drugs all over the country, so that the criminals behind them can remain detached and are less likely to be caught.
They often set up a base in a rural area for a short time, taking over the home of a vulnerable person by ‘cuckooing’and use adults and children to act as drug runners.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bell, Police Scotland, said:“We are working with our partner agencies such as Crimestoppers charity to identify and support those in our local communities who are being manipulated by those solely driven by financial gain. Providing people with support in relation to housing, health and employment is just some of the steps we take to encourage those with addictions to seek help.
“Our local communities do not want these individuals and we take robust action to disrupt the harm they cause. However, we rely on information from the public about this kind of suspicious behaviour. I encourage anyone with information to speak to us or if you prefer to stay completely anonymous, then contact the charity Crimestoppers.”
“If you have any information about those from English cities who have recently moved into Scottish communities contact Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.