Operation Gravity

Norfolk Constabulary is focused on disrupting and preventing County Lines drug dealing in our local towns and villages under Operation Gravity.

In 2019, a dedicated County Lines team was set up. Since then, officers targeting the supply of heroin and crack cocaine into Norfolk, have helped secure more than 300 years in prison sentences for those responsible.

The team has also shut down 74 lines bringing Class A drugs into Norfolk.

A County Line is run by a ‘line-holder’, who uses an unregistered mobile phone to arrange the movement of Class A drugs from London and other large cities, using violence, and exploiting vulnerable young people and adults.

Norfolk Constabulary’s specialist team, consisting of just 7 members, uses in-depth phone data analysis to track down these ‘line-holders’, to stop the movement of drugs at the source.

In the last 3 years, this has resulted in 82 convictions of principals and conspirators, and a total of 315 years and 11 months of prison time given out.

The success of the last 3 years has been driven by Op Orochi, with the Norfolk County Lines team working alongside specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police, to help identify the individuals who control the lines from London.

By working with our neighbouring forces, the Metropolitan Police and local communities, we have been able to respond to reports of drug-related crime.

But we cannot be complacent. We want to make Norfolk a difficult environment for those who think they can come into our county and deal drugs, and anyone caught breaking the law will be dealt with robustly.

Enforcement alone will not solve the problems associated with County Lines dealing. Earlier intervention is required to steer the vulnerable away from a life of drug abuse and violence. This intervention must involve a range of agencies, and support the vital roles that families must play in keeping young people safe and out of trouble.

We have been overwhelmed by the public support of Operation Gravity so far, and whilst it has led to more reports of illegal drug activity and knife crime in the county, it has enabled us to take action where it is needed.

What you can do

• Anyone with information about illegal drugs activity should call Norfolk Constabulary on 101
• If you have information but want to stay anonymous you can call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

If you feel vulnerable and at risk

If you feel at risk, yourself, of being pulled into drugs-related crime, you can call Change Grow Live (CGL) on 01603 514096. Change Grow Live provides confidential advice and treatment for adults with drug and alcohol problems.