County Lines Intensification Week March 2024

A forcewide crackdown on County Lines activity has seen officers arrest 13 people and recover a quantity of cash, drugs and several dangerous weapons.

The latest week of action took place between Monday 04 March and Sunday 10 March 2024 and   was coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).

As part of our week of activity we conducted eight warrants at various addresses across North Yorkshire. We have seized £700 in cash, class-a and class –b drugs as well as several dangerous weapons which include a machete, cross bow and a throwing knife.

County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks which export illegal drugs into other areas across the UK, using dedicated mobile phone ‘deal lines’. Vulnerable people - including children – are forced to deal drugs and they will often use local properties as a base for their activities; this is often acquired by force and referred to as ‘cuckooing’.

Proactive safeguarding and welfare checks were conducted at hotels and bed and breakfasts where known vulnerable persons are living. We also held County Lines drop-in stalls in public areas for engagement within communities. Highlights included:

Craven – Our local Neighbourhood Policing team held a pop-up event at Morrisons in Skipton to highlight the signs of county lines drug dealing and cuckooing.

Harrogate – Officers presented an assembly at Harrogate High School to educate children about the dangers of drug use and county lines. 

Scarborough – Targeted patrols were conducted at Scarborough Train Station to intercept drugs which are run via the transport network.

Ryedale – We attended Thornton le Dale primary school to engage with children about cuckooing and the dangers of drug use.

Our Detective Chief Inspector Andy Simpson commented:

“ We fully understand the misery that is inflicted by County Lines drugs gangs upon vulnerable people, families, and communities in North Yorkshire. For this reason, we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of targeting drug lines and safeguarding vulnerable people.

“ Once again, I’m proud of the force’s results from this latest week of intensification but it is important to express that this is just seven days.  

“ Tackling County Lines drug dealing remains a priority for us, but we need the public to continue to report suspicious activity to us. If you see anything suspicious, please get in touch with us, the information maybe the missing piece of the jigsaw that helps us to further protect our communities”.

Support Services

If you are a young person who is worried about being involved in county lines, or knows someone who is, you can speak to an adult and let them know how you feel.

You can also contact www.fearless.org   who allow you to pass on information about crime anonymously.

You can also contact Childline on 0800 1111 – they are a private and confidential service where you can talk to counsellors about anything that is worrying you.

Get help for drug addiction

North Yorkshire Rise – young people's specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2).

North Yorkshire Horizons - adult specialist drug and alcohol service - freephone 08000 14 14 80 – nyhorizons.org.uk

York Drug and Alcohol Service – specialist support for adults and young people - 01904 464 680 - https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/find-support/york-drug-and-alcohol-services

For details on the range of sources of support in York, including York in Recovery, please see: https://www.livewellyork.co.uk/information-and-advice/health-and-wellbeing/help-for-drugs-and-alcohol-use/

DRUGFAM – Support for people affected by other people’s drug or alcohol misuse – 0300 888 3853 https://drugfam.co.uk/