Police have shared the exact number of County Lines gangs they believe are currently active in Merseyside.
Merseyside Police shared information on the number of gangs after officers reported an increase in the use of ketamine attributing its usage to “rapid escalation in violent crime and anti-social behaviour” in St Helens.
In response to the rising issue Merseyside Police said: "Ketamine use in children in St Helens is on the rise. It causes serious health conditions and is highly addictive. Ketamine use is linked to violent crime and child exploitation."
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Merseyside Police believe there are 75 County Lines gangs coming in and out of Merseyside, with seven operating in St Helens alone. The force has also expressed their commitment to cutting the County Lines and reducing the number.
A spokesperson from Merseyside Police said: "Merseyside Police has taken a proactive approach to tackling the issue of County Lines and since Project Medusa began in 2019, the force has relentlessly targeted those organised criminal groups, who exploit young people to do their dirty work for them. Across the whole of Merseyside we believe there are 75 active County Lines, with seven operating out of St Helens.
"As a force we are committed to working alongside partners and other forces to continue to cut these County Lines and reduce this number even further. We cannot stop this criminality alone, we need to continue our work with partners and we need the public’s help. It’s vital that everyone who cares for or knows young and vulnerable people understand the issue and knows the warning signs."
