From West Mercia Police:
West Mercia Police officers joined forces with partners and forces across the country to take part in a week-long crackdown on County Lines Criminal activity.
During the intensification period 68 weapons including knives, knuckle dusters and air weapons were seized, along with Class A drugs to a street value of around £6,500 and 19 arrests made across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
Cash, five mobile phones and two vehicles also seized during the simultaneous warrants across our counties.
Officers visited ‘cuckooed’ homes believed to be being exploited by drug dealers. They identified and safeguarded 11 vulnerable people at risk of being exploited. Officers also engaged in education activity with fast food outlets, care homes, schools, local authorities, petrol stations and travel hubs across the counties.
County Lines criminal activity is an ongoing priority and is targeted as part of the Force’s overarching Protect campaign. This campaign seeks to tackle organised crime and disrupt those causing the most harm in our communities.
Chief Superintendent Damian Barratt said: “West Mercia Police is no different to any other Police Force across the country where county lines drug dealers are exploiting vulnerable children, young people and adults.
“Organised crime groups are targeting our local communities and exploiting vulnerable people to transport drugs into our counties.
“These groups are often involved in serious violence and do not think twice about putting vulnerable people in frightening situations, causing them to make decisions that can ultimately change their lives and the lives of others forever. We are determined to do all we can to stop this from happening.
“The consequences are far and wide and cause a ripple effect during the intensification week a vehicle inadvertently collided with an elderly couple in Shropshire, luckily the couple was not hurt, and the vehicle seized and man was arrested.
“We’re committed to tackling serious and organised crime as part of our ‘Protect’ campaign. No matter what the circumstances, our officers are here 24/7 365 days a year to protect people from harm.”
To report concerns about County Lines visit the Tell Us About section of www.westmercia.police.uk. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is independent of the police and completely confidential.
From Dyfed-Powys Police:
Class A drugs worth £137,000 were seized during a police week of action to tackle county lines.
Dyfed-Powys Police took part in the national county lines intensification week between Monday, May 17 and Sunday, May 23, carrying out warrants, intercepting vehicles potentially involved in the supply of drugs, and working with partners to raise awareness of drug-related crime.
Officers seized heroin worth around £125,000, cocaine worth around £12,000, 40 blue tablets, cannabis, an imitation firearm, a 6 inch knife and £7,325 in cash during 17 warrants.
Twelve people were arrested on suspicion of drug offences, including possession/possession with intent and concerned in the supply of drugs. Other offences included driving whilst disqualified and driving whilst unfit.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Cotterell said: “The county lines intensification week was highly successful for Dyfed-Powys Police, and we had a number of excellent results thanks to the proactive work of officers across the four divisions.
“The work of our teams resulted in the seizure of a kilo of heroin and a significant amount of cocaine before they could make it to our streets.
“The devastation this quantity of class A drugs could cause in our communities doesn’t bear thinking about, and we are pleased to highlight this disruption to the use and supply of illegal substances.”
While proactive policing and response teams actively targeted lines of drugs supply, the INTACT team, neighbourhood policing teams and Safer Communities Hub offered support and safeguarding advice, as well as educating partners on the signs and risks of county lines.
Visits were made to 38 cuckooing victims, or those at risk of being cuckooed, four people were safeguarded – one due to age, and two referrals were made for vulnerable people under the national referral mechanism.
DCI Cotterell said: “Few people are aware of the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to support victims, or the measures we put in place to stop people from becoming repeat victims of drug-related crime.
“It is very important to us as a force that while we act on all new intelligence to disrupt county lines, we also take a victim-oriented approach to working with those affected by these gangs to protect them from becoming repeat victims.”
Five colleges and university campuses were visited during the week, and over 5,000 young people were educated about county lines. This resulted in one stop search being carried out, with razor blades and a lock knife seized.
Visits were also made to 85 businesses across the force, while 15,000 private landlords and letting agents were made aware of the consequences of ignoring potential criminal activity at their properties.
It’s estimated that the force’s efforts resulted in the education of more than 20,000 people, ranging from school children to community leaders.
