Policing chief vows to tackle County Lines

The Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has warned vowed to crack down on ‘county lines’ drugs gangs as she warns more and more children from the North East are being recruited into the criminal world.

PCC Kim McGuinness said operations carried out during County Lines Intensification Week – the last week in May – saw 23 arrests made, as part of tough action to fight crime across the region. County Lines is a form of criminal exploitation where criminals persuade, coerce and force children and young people to store drugs and money or transport them to other areas.

Recently, children as young as 13 have been caught working as drugs runners for criminals operating within our region.

With some even relocating to other parts of the UK where County Lines is a bigger problem and there is more work as ‘drugs runners’ on offer.

Last week a large-scale County Lines clampdown resulted in 23 people arrested and seized more than £20,000 in criminal cash.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Northumbria Police is pulling out all the stops– the raids, the covert operations, they’re doing it all to get on top of this as a region, but fighting this crime is not a job for our officers alone.

“Drug dealing is a dangerous world and we have to stop our young people getting caught up in a cycle of fear and violence.

"That’s why youth and outreach workers have such a vital part to play in the solution and it pains me that these services have been cut time and time again by Government.”