Arrests made as part of County Lines crackdown

15 people were arrested in Norfolk last week as part of a national campaign against County Lines.

The intensification week ran from Monday 25 November to Sunday 1 December and saw officers carry out operations to crackdown on County Lines drug dealing and safeguard those most at risk.

County Lines is a drug dealing model where Class A drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries, and often by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs. The county line is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. A person under 18 cannot consent to their exploitation.

Three County Line phone lines were closed down as part of the week of action.

However, much of the operation’s focus was on preventing and protecting. Officers visited 27 previous victims of cuckooing – where dealers take over the homes of vulnerable people. They also delivered presentations to schools, and handed out leaflets to taxi companies and the public to raise awareness of the signs of exploitation.

Since its creation five years ago, Norfolk’s County Line team has investigated more than 200 County Lines and charged 213 people, resulting in more than 570 years in prison sentences. 

Detective Inspector Jo Minnis said: “We have made significant inroads into tackling County Lines in Norfolk but it remains a threat.

“The relentless enforcement activity, not just during intensification weeks but year-round, has led to changes in the County Lines business model, as drug dealers seek to adapt and evade detection.

“However, the technical abilities and knowledge gathered by police mean County Lines are now a much riskier and less rewarding enterprise.

During the week of action, officers from Norfolk’s Project Servator team carried out an operation at Norwich Train Station with British Transport Police. High visibility patrols and stop and search tactics were used resulting in two arrests and the seizure of drugs and a knife.

Other operations around the county saw drugs, cash, phones and high value watches seized.

DI Minnis said: “County Lines drug dealing is linked to serious violence and is a public health concern.

“Our focus is to target the line holders and we are dedicated to bringing those responsible for violence and exploitation to justice.”

“That is why we have a prevention-first approach to tackling County Lines, stopping people being drawn in, whilst working to prepare communities for the impact of County Lines and protect children and vulnerable adults, safeguarding them from harm, along with relentlessly pursuing offenders.”

Anyone with information around drug supply is encouraged to contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101, online via our  Report a crime | Norfolk Constabulary or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

For anyone wishing to seek advice and support for drug or alcohol addiction, Change Grow Live can be contacted on 01603 514096 or e-mail [email protected]