Preventing organised crime in North Wales

Keep North Wales safe by preventing serious organised crime carried out by criminal gangs

Organised criminals are expanding their activities into North Wales. Anonymous community information from residents and businesses is vital to stopping gangs in their tracks.

Whilst North Wales is one of the safest places to live, gangs are trying to operate in the area – establishing ‘County Lines’ drug dealing networks, cannabis factories and other illegal enterprises. These activities exploit the vulnerable and harm our communities and legitimate businesses.
 
Whether you live in Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd or Anglesey, we’re asking residents and businesses to be alert to the activities of organised crime groups and help put a stop to drug dealing and crimes that are fuelled by it, such as drug manufacturing, modern slavery and exploitation, burglary and theft, weapons and violence.

If you know about or suspect organised crime, contact us 100% anonymously.
Speak up. Stay safe. Stop crime.

Call free on 0800 555 111 or go to our online form

What are County Lines?

County Lines is a term used for organised illegal drug-dealing networks, usually controlled by a person using a single telephone number or ‘deal line’.

They operate out of major UK cities and they distribute illegal drugs across North Wales by taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults and exploiting children to act as drug runners, using intimidation, violence and weapons.

This crime is often associated with other serious and organised crimes such as drugs manufacturing (including cannabis factories), high value thefts, money laundering and human trafficking (more details below).

Call free on 0800 555 111 or go to our online form

What’s ‘cuckooing’?

Criminals running County Lines will set up a base in a rural area or small town for a short time, taking over the home of a vulnerable person, ‘cuckooing’ them (named after the cuckoo's practice of taking over other birds' nests for its young).

Victims of ‘cuckooing’ are often drug users but can include older people, those suffering from mental or physical health problems, sex workers and those living in poverty.

Signs that 'cuckooing' may be going on at a property include:

• An increase in people entering and leaving
• An increase in cars or bikes outside  
• Possible increase in anti-social behaviour  
• Increasing litter outside 
• Signs of drugs use

“North Wales is one of the most beautiful and safest places to live and work; however there are some who wish to spoil this. Crimestoppers is working with a range of organisations which make up the Serious Violence and Organised Crime Partnership to reduce crime and make your communities safer. However, we can't do this without the help of residents, visitors and businesses; everyone has a part to play in preventing crime.

"In particular we’re encouraging property landlords, letting agents and those running hotel and guest accommodation, including Airbnb hosts, to be alert to organised crime gangs using their premises. Signs to spot may include:

• Offers to pay upfront in cash
• Appears affluent but wants to rent an inexpensive property
• Unable to provide landlord or employment references
• Prefers to pay rent in cash without good justification
• Prevents you from inspecting your property when given reasonable notice

"If you have any information or suspect organised crime, please let us know.

"You can speak to our Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or use our non-traceable online form. You will remain 100% anonymous. Always. We will never ask for your name, and your phone call or online report will never be traced.”

Serious and organised crime: one gang - many crimes

One of the features of organised crime gangs is that they are often involved in several criminal ativities in addition to County Lines, with each crime feeding off the other.

This is why your information matters. It allows the relevant authorities to build a more accurate crime intelligence picture of the North Wales area.

Here are examples of some of the other organised crime gangs' activities:
 

Useful links