Police arrest 1,660 criminals, close 261 county lines in one week | United Kingdom | News

Police arrested 1,660 criminals and closed 261 county lines used by ruthless gangs to spread misery across the country in a week-long crackdown.

The mammoth multi-force operation also saw the seizure of 557 weapons, the removal of four banned XL tyrannical dogs from their owners and the recovery of £1.98 million in cash.

County Lines is the term used to describe drug trafficking in which mobile phones are used to supply drugs, usually from large cities to villages and rural areas.

They are run by “Line Holders” who use local runners, often exploited vulnerable children, to deliver the drugs.

Head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council for County Lines, Commander Paul Brogden, said the disruption and dismantling of county lines networks in England and Wales was one of the highest priorities in the fight against crime.

He said: “Figures from the last week of intensification show that police are continuing to make inroads into these criminal networks. During the last week of intensification, we closed 261 county boundaries and targeted drug traffickers who are destroying lives and communities, resulting in the arrest of more than 1,660 criminals in the last week intensification. week.

“Relentless enforcement activity, as evidenced by this intensifying week and previous weeks, has led to changes in County Lines’ business model, as drug traffickers seek to adapt and evade detection . We will continue to be flexible in our approach to continue to effectively suppress and disrupt medicines supply chains.

“However, drug trafficking in County Lines continues to be linked to the most serious violence, demonstrated by the horrific weapons seized throughout the week, where we saw 557 weapons seized, including 75 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, 105 other weapons such as brass knuckles, chucks and hammers.

Officers say they continue to focus on a prevention-first approach to tackling county lines, with more than 1,400 people shielded during the week, 48% of whom were children.

They say it is vital to prevent people from being lured in, while working to prepare communities for the impact of County Lines.

Minister for Crime and Policing, Dame Diana Johnson, said: “County lines are one of the most violent and exploitative patterns of drug supply and we are determined to stop these heartless gangs to lure young people into a life of crime.

Among the successful operations between November 25^th and Monday December 2^sd was

a joint Surrey/Met partnership to arrest and charge two County Lines criminals who exploited children to supply crack cocaine and heroin on the ‘Ghost Line’, running from London to Brighton. Both offenders were charged with drug supply and modern slavery offences.

Four arrest warrants were also executed in South Yorkshire and Chesterfield, leading to the arrest of four people and the seizure of more than £35,000 worth of Class A drugs, 23 mobile phones, an imitation firearm fire, bladed weapons and more than £4,000 in cash.

British Transport Police arrested two individuals and seized 70 wraps of heroin, an imitation firearm, an air rifle, Zombie knives, brass knuckles and a crossbow.

Kent Police, Op Orochi Met Police and BTP County Lines teams all worked together to arrest the line holder and runner from Junior County Lines, operating from London to Kent supplying crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin. Crack cocaine and heroin worth £15,000 to £20,000, £4,000 in cash and 3 zombie knives were recovered.

The North East Regional Organized Crime Unit arrested three individuals at a US candy and vape store and seized a large quantity of amphetamine and diazepam.

Drug trafficking in County Lines is linked to the most serious violence, as evidenced by weapons seized throughout the week, including brass knuckles, hammers and knives.

During the surge week, 1,434 people were identified as being at risk. Police forces have worked with relevant services and charities to help protect children and vulnerable adults, using a variety of options available to them, including referrals to specialist support, strategy meetings, safety plans created and reported on crimes related to modern slavery.

James Simmonds-Read, national program manager at the Children’s Society, said: “Exploitation is a sad reality for too many children in the UK today.

“Sexually assaulted, forced to steal, launder money and transport drugs; children see their childhood slip away, powerless against those who control and exploit them.

“Despite some signs of progress, these children are too often blamed for their abuse, labeled as troublemakers, accomplices, or accused of making different “choices.” But children cannot choose whether they are victims of abuse.

“We want to ensure that victim blaming is consigned to history. By recognizing these children as victims, no matter who they are or how they behave, and taking action to get them support, you can help stop the exploitation.

Sharon Maciver, director of criminal exploitation at Action for Children, added: “Child criminal exploitation is child abuse. But victims are often not identified as such because they are exploited to commit crimes.

“We know from our work that there are many different risk factors that can make a young person more vulnerable to exploitation, including neurodiversity, family breakdown and poverty. But we also know that it can affect any child, regardless of their background.

“We can and must do better to identify and protect children from criminal exploitation, but no single agency can tackle this problem alone. By committing to real change, we could significantly improve the wellbeing and safety of children across the UK.