Burgers and coats: county lines gangs exploit hardship to recruit UK kids

Young people in socially deprived areas are the easiest target for ‘county lines’ drug gangs, criminologists say. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Criminals are using burgers and warm coats to recruit hungry, cold children into “county lines” gangs in towns and cities across the UK, experts are warning.

Headteachers across the country say that the cost of living crisis is leading to increasing numbers of pupils being groomed by sophisticated gangs to run drugs from one city to other parts of the country.