Met County Lines intensification week results in 249 arrests.

More than 100 vulnerable children and adults were safeguarded and almost 250 people were arrested by the Met in an intensified effort to bear down on County Lines drug dealing.

Met officers led the way in the latest County Lines Intensification Week, which ran nationally from Monday, 7 to Sunday, 13 March.

The Met has been world-leading in its approach to tackling county lines. Operation Orochi was the first of its kind in the UK and has been a trailblazer in tackling County Lines. Officers from across the Met, including the specialist team Op Orochi, worked together to target County Lines dealers and safeguard those being exploited by criminals to deal drugs.

The Met worked with several forces across the country resulting in:

• 249 arrests;
• 114 vulnerable people safeguarded;
• 4kg of Class A drugs plus 740 wraps seized;
• 14kg Class B drugs plus cannabis plants seized and one cannabis factory discovered;
• One firearm and two imitation firearms seized;
• 56 knifes and weapons seized;
• 30 County Lines shut down (removal of the County Line handset and mobile number);
• More than £284,000 cash seized;
• 45 vehicles seized.

Officers also made 25 referrals to the National Referral Mechanism, which assesses individuals as potential victims of human trafficking/modern slavery.

County Lines is where drugs are transported from one area to another, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas across the country. This is often by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into doing so by gangs. They are controlled by being threatened with violence and intimidation. The ‘line’ is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. County Lines gangs also exploit vulnerable adults by using their home as a base to deal drugs, which is known as cuckooing.

Enforcement only forms part of the Met’s activity to tackle County Lines. A host of engagement and diversion activities takes place including education and work to strengthen relationships with local communities.

On Friday, 11 March officers hosted and took part in a five-aside football tournament for school children in Dagenham. They engaged with the children and their families and explained the warning signs of criminal exploitation.

Businesses such as hotels and licensed premises were trained to help them spot the signs of child exploitation. Staff who have concerns or suspicions, can call police quoting ‘Operation Makesafe’, the name of the initiative.

Child Exploitation Teams delivered exploitation and County Lines training to school nurses, midwives and health visitors throughout the week.

The Met is doing more than ever before to tackle County Lines and safeguard those exploited by the criminals who hold the lines. We are increasing our of modern slavery legislation to charge those at the top of the County Lines chain.

Formed in November 2019, Op Orochi began the new tactic of targeting the line holders, who are the individuals controlling the line. They rarely leave London and avoid the risk of handling drugs, but coordinate the distribution of drugs through the exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. The team works hand in glove with officers from the importing forces. During the intensification week they worked with a number of forces including Wiltshire, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Avon and Somerset, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley. 

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty, said: “County Lines causes destruction in communities and is an abhorrent crime. We know the supply of drugs is inextricably linked to violence and causes misery to those impacted by it.

“I am incredibly thankful to the officers from across the Met who pulled together to achieve these fantastic results. They have worked hard to safeguard vulnerable children and adults and removed some of those who cause serious harm off the streets.

“Our efforts to tackle county lines are ongoing day in, day out, and the week of intensified effort throughout the country is an extension of that and helps raise awareness of this devastating distribution model. 

“The Met is leading the way when it comes to dismantling County Lines. Investigations may have previously taken months but we are now closing down lines and arresting their holders in a matter of weeks.

“Tackling violence remains one of our top priorities and our efforts to crack down on those controlling the lines and safeguard those being exploited to run drugs will only continue.”

The Children’s Society joined forces with the Met to run its ‘Look Closer’ campaign alongside the intensification week – raising awareness among both professionals and the public about the signs of child exploitation and urging people to report any concerns to the police. 

This has included holding online awareness sessions for nearly 100 officers from the Met’s neighbourhood, response and exploitation teams, which covered engagement with young people who may be victims and how to help them access support.

James Simmonds-Read, National Manager of The Children’s Society’s Prevention programme, said: “It’s vital that police and all professionals spot instances where children have been exploited by criminals, so we are pleased that many vulnerable people – including young people – have been identified as being in need of support. 

“However, the public can also play a crucial role in spotting signs of child exploitation and reporting them to the police and our Look Closer campaign highlights how everyone from commuters to transport and shop staff can help children to escape horrific exploitation. It has been fantastic to have the support of the Met in sharing this important message.

“Young people may not ask for help themselves because they have been manipulated into thinking they are making a choice or because they have been subjected to terrifying threats.” 

If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please call us on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you would like to provide information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. Young people can give information 100% anonymously by contacting the charity Fearless at www.fearless.org.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers or Fearless.

For more information on county lines and how to prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming a victim, visit www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines.

For more information about The Children Society’s Look Closer campaign visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk/lookcloser.