Merseyside Police has suggested there could be over 1,000 County Lines around the country run by grooming gangs from St Helens.
Speaking in a publicly shared video about how criminal gangs are exploiting youths in St Helens to sell ketamine a police officer said there are suggestions of over 1,000 County Lines run from St Helens. Police in the Merseyside town have reported an increase in the use of the Class B drug attributing its usage to “rapid escalation in violent crime and anti-social behaviour” in the town centre.
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."
