Police are hoping to erect a metaphorical "ring of steel" around Skelmersdale to prevent ruthless city gangsters ensnaring local youths in drug running.
Local Chief Inspector Chris Abbott, of Lancashire Police, spoke to the ECHO about efforts to tackle serious and organised crime in the West Lancashire area in the wake of a successful and unusual operation which saw two rival drug trafficking gangs taken down at the same time.
The force worked with Lincolnshire Police to target a group of drug dealers openly selling heroin and crack cocaine in Lincoln town centre, and sometimes engaging in violent and public clashes with each other. An investigation found that one group, nicknamed the 'Jimmy Line', was directing the supply of drugs from Skelmersdale while the other, the 'Django Line', was based in Nottingham.
