County Lines
Also known as:
- drug trafficking
- drug dealing
- organised crime
- criminal gangs
What is Risk ?
Digital risk factors associated with their interests and activities
County lines activity often involves exploiting children and vulnerable people.
A young person can be groomed or coerced to:
- act as a look-out for the gang
- transport drugs, weapons, or money
- let their property be used for criminal activity, sometimes known as cuckooing
County lines criminal activity happens all across the UK, supplying drugs to suburban areas, including market and coastal towns.
Criminal gangs make children perform some of their illegal operations. Children can appear less suspicious and are less likely to be stopped by police.
Criminals use social media to groom and recruit children. County lines criminal activity can also involve human trafficking or selling weapons.
Where this can happen
Risks and motivations
Risks
Grooming, exploitation, and trafficking
Vulnerable children are at higher risk of grooming, exploitation, and physical, mental, or sexual abuse.
A young person who has been groomed might find it hard to stop working for a criminal gang. Children may also not pick up on certain warning signs. This can make them easier targets to be manipulated.
In extreme cases, children and vulnerable individuals can be trafficked by county lines gangs.
There are many serious harms associated with grooming, exploitation, and trafficking. These include emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
Breaking the law
Someone being criminally exploited may be pressured into committing crimes including:
- transporting, preparing, or growing drugs
- handling weapons or stolen goods
- violence
- money muling
They may be arrested and prosecuted if caught.
Drugs, violence, and abuse
People involved with county lines groups can be exposed to drugs and violence. For example, they might be the target of physical violence or misuse drugs and alcohol themselves.
Some children may also be physically abused when transporting drugs. Criminal gangs can force children to insert packages of drugs inside their vagina or anus. This is sometimes known as plugging.
Harms relating to violence, abuse, and substance misuse can be long-lasting and extremely damaging. Harms can be both physical and emotional.
Motivations
Reasons someone might take part in county lines criminal activity include:
- being offered money, food or gifts
- intimidation, or being afraid to say no
- to earn status or respect
- difficulties at home
- being blackmailed
- debt to a gang sometimes known as debt bondage
- not being aware of the risks
What you can do
You can learn more about the signs that a child or young person is being exploited.
If you are unsure of the legality of someone’s behaviour, seek legal advice.
If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and read our safeguarding guidance.
Support
If someone you work with has had a harmful experience with county lines gangs or criminal exploitation, you could contact an organisation that specialises in criminal exploitation or legal advice.
Recovery processes may be lengthy and complex. They might require the response of multiple organisations.
Read more about county lines
- County lines drug supply (National Crime Agency) – File
- Criminal exploitation of children, young people and vulnerable adults (The Home Office) – File
- Serious youth violence: County lines drug dealing (House of Commons) – File
- Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines drug distribution (University of Nottingham) – File
Share your experience of county lines
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm