Cumbria: New campaign launched with PCC to stop County Lines drug gangs

Our charity and Peter McCall, Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, have launched a campaign across Cumbria to stop criminal drug gangs and to help identify vulnerable young people and adults who these gangs are exploiting. 

Tremendous strides have been made in disrupting County Lines gangs who operate from the major cities in the North West and further afield and who seek to expand their drug networks into Cumbria. This has been achieved as a combined result of proactive policing, the 1CLIC initiative in South Cumbria, the work of many organisations, and crucially information given by the community.

However, despite the dismantling of these ‘Lines’, the seizures of drugs and arrests, it is vital that new drug gangs are stopped from setting up in the county, which leads to suffering by the exploiting of vulnerable children, young people and adults.

During the last 12 months, more people from Cumbria than ever before have passed on important information anonymously to Crimestoppers with a 16% increase on the previous year, with much of this being drug related. We are also working in Merseyside and Greater Manchester where many of these drug gangs originate. 

Any suspicions about organised drug gangs and victims can be reported to our charity 100% anonymously by calling freephone 0800 555 111 at any time or by completing a secure online form.  

 Fearless – our charity’s youth service - offers young people non-judgemental advice so they can make informed decisions about lifestyle choices and realise that they have an alternative option when speaking up about crime. Crime can also be reported by young people on the Fearless dedicated site.

“Whilst we all are grateful that Cumbria is one of the safest places in England, there are those who seek to profit from bringing drugs into the county and exploit young people and vulnerable adults.

“We are asking people to be aware of the signs of drug dealing and County Lines, grooming and exploitation.

“We are also appealing to everyone to help protect vulnerable members in our community from County Lines activity by telling us anonymously what you know. Many of the exploited victims who are coerced and intimidated by these gangs are unable to speak up for themselves.

 “If you know something and prefer to stay completely anonymous, please call our freephone number 0800 555 111 or complete a safe and secure anonymous online form. Young people can also give information via Fearless.org 100% anonymously without fear of any repercussions. Our charity has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts us.”

Gary Murray, Crimestoppers North West Regional Manager

“As a rural county, Cumbria is affected by county lines drugs supply imported from larger  metropolitan areas.

“Drugs can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, families, and whole communities.

“Residents of Cumbria know their communities best therefore, I am urging the public that if you notice anything suspicious, to please report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

“We need to work together and continue to target those who seek to supply drugs in Cumbria, in order to make our county an even safer place to live, work and visit.”

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall

Find out more information about County Lines and signs to spot. 
 
Please note: With Fearless.org and Crimestoppers-uk.org, computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted our charity. For telephone calls to our charity via freephone 0800 555 111, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.