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County Lines
County Lines - The Reality
County Lines is a form of criminal exploitation.
County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas (within the UK), using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move (and store) the drugs and money, and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.
- National Police Chiefs Council
Worried about a friend?
Are you worried that a friend or someone you know may be being exploited through County Lines activity? Then below are some of the signs to spot:
- Returning home late, staying out all night or going missing for days or weeks at a time.
- Being found in areas away from home, particularly areas you would not expect them to travel to alone.
- Increasing drug use, or having a large amount of drugs on them when they do not use drugs themselves.
- Suddenly being secretive about who they are talking to or where they are going.
- Unexplained absences from school, work, college or training.
- Having large amounts of money on them, or having lots of new stuff such as clothes, jewellery or phones they usually wouldn’t be able to afford.
- A change in behaviour – more disruptive, aggressive, anxious.
- Using drug-related or adult language you would not expect that young person to know.
- Having injuries that cannot be explained.
- In possession of hotel keys or keys to unknown places.
Watch Aimee's story below to find out about some of the signs to spot:
Seeing these signs in someone may not automatically mean they are being criminally exploited. It may be that something else is going on for that person. But, if you spot a number of these signs in someone, it is important to raise this with a trusted adult to ensure that person is safe.
Glossary of terms
The terms below are often used to describe County Lines activity. This is not an exhaustive list of terms, and there will be some regional variations.
Taking over the home of a vulnerable member of the community to use and sell illegal drugs from. The person whose home has been taken over may be exploited in a number of different ways by the County Lines group, including criminally, sexually and financially.
When someone is referring to a person 'going country', they are suggesting that person is travelling to another city, town or county to deliver illegal drugs or money. This is sometimes also referred to a 'going cunch' or 'going OT'.
A building used as a base for drugs to be sold, and sometimes manufactured from. Young people being criminally exploited through County Lines activity may be forced to stay at a trap house for days or weeks at a time. A trap may sometimes be referred to as a 'bando'.
These are terms used to describe a type of financial exploitation of a young person. A young person may be forced to work to pay off a debt that they owe. However, sometimes a County Lines group may use deception to trick a young person into believing they have a debt to pay when in reality they don't.
Victim of criminal exploitation?
As Fearless is 100% anonymous, we are unable to take reports from victims of crime.
If you are being criminally exploited it’s really important that you talk to a parent/guardian, an adult you trust or report it to the police.
You can also get more information, support and advice from the organisations listed on our youth support services page.
Anonymity
Fearless is a service that allows you to pass on information about crime 100% anonymously. Anonymous means your identity is completely unknown.
Give information anonymously
Report a crime 100% anonymously by completing our online form or calling 0800 555 111
Youth support services
Access a selection of youth organisations who can offer further information, advice and support for whatever you're dealing with.
