Crimestoppers
Fearless - Our Youth Service
County Lines Campaign
Crimestoppers launches campaign to raise awareness of ‘county lines’ and the exploitation of vulnerable people
Crimestoppers has today launched a national campaign to highlight county lines and encourage the public to report their concerns.
To complement the Crimestoppers campaign, the Home Office is raising awareness of county lines among those staff who might encounter young and vulnerable people who are at risk of being exploited by county lines gangs, such as statutory staff and those working in the transport and private security sectors.
The crime sees County Lines gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to move drugs and money.
The gangs move into a rural or suburban area for a short time, taking over the home of a vulnerable person where they set up a base.
Many of those taken advantage of by these gangs have been forced to carry out criminal activity by threats, grooming and extortion and can be described as modern day slaves.
If you see something concerning either a young or vulnerable person that doesn’t feel right, or looks suspicious, you can report your concerns 100% anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers. You can contact us on 0800 555 111 or send an untraceable online form .
Crimestoppers are working closely with the Home Office, who are running a campaign which targets staff who may encounter young people who are being exploited by the practice of county lines.
The Home Office campaign targets staff in the transport, private security and accommodation sector and provides them with a range of materials including posters, guidance booklets on how to identify a young person is may be being exploited by county lines gangs and, how to safeguard that vulnerable young person.
If you recognise any of the signs listed above, Crimestoppers is here to take your information. You can contact us anonymously on 0800 555 111 or can send an untraceable online form.
Our Campaign
To help the public understand what ‘county lines’ is and encourage reporting to Crimestoppers, the charity is running a campaign which launched today. An advan will be touring certain areas giving people more information on how they can play their part in helping to tackle this issue. In addition, a social media campaign has also been launched by the charity to raise awareness of the crime.To complement the Crimestoppers campaign, the Home Office is raising awareness of county lines among those staff who might encounter young and vulnerable people who are at risk of being exploited by county lines gangs, such as statutory staff and those working in the transport and private security sectors.
What is County Lines?
County lines refers to gangs and organised criminal networks which export illegal drugs into suburban, rural and coastal areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines or “deal line.”The crime sees County Lines gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to move drugs and money.
The gangs move into a rural or suburban area for a short time, taking over the home of a vulnerable person where they set up a base.
Many of those taken advantage of by these gangs have been forced to carry out criminal activity by threats, grooming and extortion and can be described as modern day slaves.
Spot the signs and report concerns
Have you noticed:- A child or young person (sometimes as young as 12), during school hours or unusual hours (e.g. early in the morning, late at night)? They might be in a shopping centre or high street, or on public transport.
- A child or young person who seems unfamiliar with the local area?
- A child or young person being approached or intimidated by a controlling peer or group?
- A child or vulnerable person who is deliberately avoiding authority figures such as police officers or security guards?
- More people calling at a local address than normal? Sometimes at unsociable hours?
- Suspicious vehicles or people at an address?
- A neighbour has not been seen for a while?
If you see something concerning either a young or vulnerable person that doesn’t feel right, or looks suspicious, you can report your concerns 100% anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers. You can contact us on 0800 555 111 or send an untraceable online form .
“We know that the term ‘county lines’ might not be widely recognised, which is why we are launching this campaign and asking for your help to support us in tackling this issue.
“We need help to put a stop to this exploitation and the damage that these criminals are inflicting on our communities and those being taken advantage of.
“We are asking you to contact us anonymously and safely through our 0800 555 111 number, or via our secure online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org - both methods are 100% anonymous. Always. Together we can put a stop to this.”
Crimestoppers are working closely with the Home Office, who are running a campaign which targets staff who may encounter young people who are being exploited by the practice of county lines.
The Home Office campaign targets staff in the transport, private security and accommodation sector and provides them with a range of materials including posters, guidance booklets on how to identify a young person is may be being exploited by county lines gangs and, how to safeguard that vulnerable young person.
If you recognise any of the signs listed above, Crimestoppers is here to take your information. You can contact us anonymously on 0800 555 111 or can send an untraceable online form.
