County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving drugs, violence, gangs, safeguarding, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern slavery, and missing persons; and the response to tackle it involves the police, the National Crime Agency, a wide range of Government departments, local government agencies and VCS (voluntary and community sector) organisations. County lines activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities
Signs to look out for
A young person’s involvement in county lines activity often leaves signs. A young person might exhibit some of these signs, either as a member or as an associate of a gang dealing drugs. Any sudden changes in a young person’s lifestyle should be discussed with them. Some indicators of county lines involvement and exploitation are listed below, with those at the top of particular concern:
If you are concerned that a child is being exploited please contact the Front Door for Families on 01273 290400
If they are in immediate danger call 999
Operation Rattle
Locally Sussex Police, Children’s services and partners across the city are working to safeguard young people and build on the existing good work around CSE, to prevent Young People experiencing any form of exploitation. Whilst the most familiar form of exploitation is CSE, we are also working to protect Young People from exploitation in regards to drug dealing, building up drug debts or bonds, being drawn into serious criminality themselves and pressured into carrying weapons or into sexual activity.
Professionals, parents and children themselves may hold vital information around those individuals who are dealing drugs and those children who are being exploited in some way. If this information can be gathered, channelled and properly assessed then we can improve the wellbeing of all children in our city. You can help in passing relevant information to agencies who are charged with safeguarding our children, and help us focus on the most vulnerable and target those causing the most harm.
Call Sussex Police on 101 and quote Operation Rattle or via the Sussex Police website, to share any information you hold.
Has needs met within universal provision. May need limited intervention within the setting to avoid needs arising.
Has additional needs identified within the setting that can be met within identified resources through a single agency response and partnership working.
Has multiple needs requiring a multi-agency coordinated response.
Has a high level of unmet & complex needs, or is in need of protection.