People using public transport over the festive period have been urged to keep an eye out for vulnerable youngsters who could be under the exploitation of drugs gangs. Young people in the grip of County Lines criminals regularly use trains and buses to travel from Nottingham to other parts of the country to sell drugs, Nottinghamshire Police said.
With an increasing number of people using public transport over the Christmas holidays, police believe it is a good opportunity to encourage travellers to report anything suspicious. County lines is the term given to the transportation of drugs between towns and cities, with the word ‘lines’ referring to the burner mobile phone lines advertising the sale of drugs to buyers.
Criminals high up in the chain are known to groom and exploit young and vulnerable people into transporting the drugs for them, often by train, with the promise of earning cash in return. Detective Chief Inspector Les Carlton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “On a county line young people who are being exploited to deal drugs travel by public transport and by taxi to different areas outside of Nottinghamshire to sell drugs for the line.
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“Christmas is traditionally a very busy time on public transport, with more people using buses and trains. I would urge those people to be vigilant. If you feel like there’s something suspicious about another passenger, or you’re concerned that a young person is travelling on their own, please contact the police. Always report anything suspicious – it is key to getting that message about County Lines out there.”
Det Chief Insp Charlton added: “The public are an extra set of eyes and ears for us in trying to tackle these criminal gangs head-on. The information also allows us to engage with the young people, which is hugely important in our battle against County Lines.
“We look to identify and safeguard vulnerable young people who are potentially victims of criminal exploitation. The hope is that, by engaging with young people involved in this type of criminality, it will help them break away from the influence of other gang members, where they may feel pressured into transporting drugs for them.
“These young people are at serious risk and could be travelling in your train carriage or coach. I’d also urge taxi drivers to be aware and report any passengers they feel could be vulnerable. Please be aware and help us to prevent more young people becoming the victim of these dangerous gangs.”
If you are concerned about a young person, contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. In an emergency always call 999.
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