County Lines is a term used when drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs. These dealers will use dedicated mobile phone lines, known as 'deal lines', to take orders from drug users.
County Lines activity can still be exploitation even if it appears consensual. It can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and is often accompanied by violence or threats of violence.
Adults who use drugs and are at risk of vulnerability possibly in financial difficulty or a care and support needs are at greatest risk of being exploited by County Lines gangs. These adults are groomed through offers of ‘free’ drugs, which, once accepted, the criminal will inform the victim that they have accumulated a debt and the only way to pay off such debt is by participating in County Lines activities (also known as debt bondage).
Sometimes drug dealers will also take over the home of a vulnerable person – this is known as cuckooing.
Common signs that someone is being exploited include those listed below.
- becoming more secretive, aggressive or violent
- meeting with unfamiliar people
- persistently going missing – someone may go missing from their home or local area when they are trafficking drugs along ‘deal lines’
- leaving home without explanation or staying out unusually late
- loss of interest in school, college or work and decline in performance
- suspicion of physical assault or unexplained injuries – including ‘DIY injuries’, (knife and puncture wounds) which are signs of punishment for drug-related debts
- using language relating to drug dealing, violence or gangs
- carrying a weapon.
- associating with a gang
- becoming isolated from peers and social networks
- having a friendship or relationship with someone who appears older or controlling
- using drugs, especially if their drug use has increased
- unexplained acquisition of money, drugs or mobile phones.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and that warning signs will show themselves differently in each person. It is important to explore all concerns over someone’s behaviour and personal circumstances and to consider whether they could be signs of exploitation.
Please watch the following video explaining What is County Lines?