A need-to-know guide for parents to stop their children becoming drug dealers or to recognise the signs if they have been recruited by London gangs

What are County Lines?

County lines activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.

County Lines refer to the use of mobile numbers circulated to users in a particular area for ordering drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine (although cannabis and MDMA are also used).

The telephone number is usually operated from outside the area. This is how the group builds their brand. Unlike other criminal activities where telephone numbers are changed on a regular basis, these telephone numbers are maintained and protected, often by gangs and organised crime groups which target the areas, either because they have a good illegal economy (for example, a large number of drug users) or because they have decent transport links to London.

What do they do?

These criminals make “friends” with young people, they give them gifts, clothes and gadgets in a fake “show of love”.

They will give them whatever a child feels is missing or feels they want. Children will then feel indebted to these gangs, and will be forced to run drugs and money between towns, and carry out awful acts of violence.

The child is then trapped in a world that on their own is very difficult to get out of. We must help them get out, by stopping this from the top down.

Is it just Southend that’s affected by this issue?

No. This is a national issue, but these gangs are active in Southend, as well as in other parts of the country. We need to be aware of criminal gangs, and to be able to spot signs that our children may be being targeted. They are dangerous to our children and we must protect them. #SeeTheSigns

Who can be targeted by criminals running County Lines?

These criminals are targeting children as young as 8 to 12-years-old. They target children across all economic, ethnic and social groups.

The national picture on county lines continues to develop but there are recorded cases of:

  • Children as young as 12 years old being exploited or moved by gangs to courier drugs out of their local area; 15-16 years is the most common age range
  • Both males and females being exploited
  • White British children being targeted because gangs perceive they are more likely to evade police detection but a person of any ethnicity or nationality may be exploited
  • The use of social media to make initial contact with children and young people
  • Class A drug users being targeted so that gangs can take over their homes (known as ‘cuckooing’).

Who is working in Southend right now, to stop this activity and protect our children?

Southend Council have specialist teams who are dedicated to helping get young people out of the claws of these criminal gangs.

They work very closely with Essex Police, and as a team they are making strong headway every day in closing down these lines and protecting our children.

The team from Southend Council also visits schools to educate pupils on how these gangs work, breaking any perceived glamour associated with them, and giving pupils someone to speak to if they are worried about themselves or their friends.

The #SeeTheSigns campaign is designed to support this, in giving parents information and support, helping them identify possible issues with their children early, so we can help them.

What do parents need to know?

We must ALL be aware of criminal gangs and the signs to spot in children, even if you believe your child would never have anything to do with these people. There is no one type of child that criminals target.

Language:

Young people may say that they are ‘Running a Line’ ‘Going Cunch’ or ‘Going O.T.’ (which stands for Over There, Out There or Outta Town).

Behaviour: What are the signs to look for in your child?

  • Persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area
  • Unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones
  • Excessive receipt of texts / phone calls and/or having multiple handsets
  • Relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups
  • Leaving home / care without explanation
  • Suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries
  • Parental concerns
  • Carrying weapons
  • Significant decline in school results / performance
  • Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks
  • Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being.

If your child displays any of these signs and you are concerned then please do contact police or the council. 

How can you get help to protect your child, if you’re a worried parent?

If you are concerned that your child is being exploited or is at risk of being exploited by gangs then you can refer in for support and guidance.

Southend Council Children’s Services Department have a specialist team that can provide education, guidance and support and we treat all children as victims first.

Main non-emergency contact for concerned parents:

If you wish to tell us something then you can contact us on the below email address:

Email: seethesigns@southend.gov.uk

Tel: 01702 215007

If you have a safeguarding concern, then a referral can be made to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub:

Email: FCT@southend.gcsx.gov.uk

There is a new hotline number – 01245 452058

A team of Essex Police officers and staff are on standby to listen, help and offer advice. The line is open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm with a voicemail facility outside of these hours.

If you need to report a crime then please ring the Police on 101 and in an emergency call 999.

More information:

www.southend.gov.uk/SeeTheSigns