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County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs. This is often referred to as ‘drug running’. Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations. This is known as ‘cuckooing’. Signs to look out for There are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is involved in county lines: repeatedly going missing from school or home and being found in other areashaving money, new clothes or electronic devices and they can't explain how they paid for themgetting high numbers of texts or phone calls, being secretive about who they're speaking todecline in school or work performancesignificant changes in emotional or physical well-beingSocial media Criminal networks use social media to groom and recruit children for county lines. They may send them direct messages (knowns as ‘DMs’), or share messages to wider groups as ‘stories’ or ‘posts’. Ways OCGs use social media advertising drugs through photos, emojis, and price listsposting statuses that show money, new drugs or when a dealer is open for businessdealers sharing ‘stories’ to followers, and using social platforms to expand their network with ‘suggested’ friendstricking people with ‘fast cash’ scams, which is often referred to as ‘squares’. Victims may end up working for no little or no money, which is known as ‘debt bondage’advertising for ‘workers’ or ‘runners’ to recruit people into county lines activityusing hashtags linked to drugsusing emojis as code for drug, violence and sexual activities, eg the snowflake emoji (for buying cocaine), 8-ball emoji (for buying an eighth of an ounce) or the rocket emoji (for purity of drugs) Further information and support The National Crime Agency County Lines website explains more about county lines and indicators of exploitation in your area.Safe 4 Me has details about support services nationally for young people impacted by Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation. They also have lots of information regarding specific forms of exploitation, understanding trauma, rights and the law and much more. The Safeguarding Network have helpful tips for understanding indicators of exploitation and what may make a young person more vulnerable to being exploited.The NSPCC offers guidance on understanding specific apps and platforms that young people may be using. | 
