County Lines

County Lines

What is county lines?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation. It refers to gangs using children and vulnerable adults to move, hold and sell drugs across the UK. 

It's known as county lines because children travel across counties and use dedicated mobile phone 'lines' to supply drugs.

Children might start because they get money or gifts. It could also happen because of a sexual or violent relationship with someone who's manipulating them.

Involvement in county lines can happen to any child regardless of age, gender or class, and it happens everywhere.

Although children might break the law while involved in county lines, it's a form of child criminal exploitation.

Signs of county lines

As a parent or carer, you know if something is a change for your child. There's specific behaviour related to county lines it's important to talk to your child and support services about.

If you're feeling worried, trust your instincts and talk to your child about it.

You think your child might be involved

You may be worried about a group or individual being a negative influence on your child. They could have met someone new online or in person, or it could be someone your child has known for some time.

It's a cause for concern if you notice gifts, money, drugs or alcohol your child's received and can't explain. Groomers do this as a way of gaining influence and control.

It's always worth asking where things have come from, even if you're not sure you'll get the honest answer. It shows your child you've noticed and that you want to talk to them about what's happening. Groomers create situations where a child 'owes' them money, forcing them to work off the debt through criminal acts.

If your child gets in trouble with the law, it's understandable that you may feel angry or disappointed. A child or teenager might take part in illegal activities without fully understanding the consequences. They might think that they're doing these things by choice. If they're aware that what they're doing is wrong, they may feel trapped. Threats and risk of violence against them and their family may make them too scared to speak about what's happening.

5 things to do if your child's involved in county lines

Dealing with county lines is a difficult experience for families to go through. Although your child may be breaking the law, they're a victim of grooming.

Try not to blame yourself or your child. It's natural to feel angry or upset but try to speak to another grown-up about those feelings so that you can be there for your child in a calm and consistent way.

1) Listen to your child

Ask them questions about what's going on, and listen to their answers. Be open, honest and non-judgmental – remember that they might be scared even if they're not showing it.

Ask them what they need from you, their school, their GP, or any other organisation they're involved with. Identify who you need to reach out to for advice and support. Avoid using blaming language. Tell them you want to help them and keep them safe.

2) Make sure their devices are safe

Though you may not be fully aware of all the devices your child has access to, you can use parental controls on the devices you know about. Talk to your child about why you're doing this so they can understand it's about keeping them safe, not punishing them.

3) Report your fears

Remember, your child is a victim and should be treated as such. If your child carries a knife or any weapon, don't assume that they intended to use it.

If you're worried that criminals are exploiting your child, you should report this to the police. If your child stays away from home, you should report them as missing to the police immediately. If you're worried about your child's safety, you can report these fears to your local Children's Services.

4) Stay aware

Try to stay aware of what your child is doing online and in real life. Ask them about what they’re seeing and where they’re going, even if they’re not yet ready to tell you. If your child is picked up in an unknown vehicle or has unexplained rail or bus tickets, keep a record of these.

5) Look to the future

Encourage your child to get involved in positive activities and to think about their future. That might look like finding a hobby they can enjoy or a career they want to pursue.

Who you can contact

If a child is at immediate risk, call the police on 999.

If you're worried about a child but they aren't in immediate danger, you can use the organisations below for help:

Early intervention is vital in protecting children from county lines and criminal exploitation. If you're worried, always reach out for help straight away.