Police support Crimestoppers charity in breaking the wall of silence about child criminal exploitation

County lines is not just about drugs. It is a form of exploitation where organised criminal gangs groom, control and manipulate children and vulnerable adults for profit.

In county lines activity, young people are pressured into transporting drugs, carrying weapons and travelling long distances under threat, intimidation or violence.

Devon & Cornwall Police is supporting a new campaign by the national charity Crimestoppers - "Missing, controlled and exploited: the hidden reality of county lines in the UK" -  which aims to break the wall of silence about child criminal exploitation. The campaign will feature on Devon & Cornwall Police social media from 21 July, and highlights how information can be passed to the police while preserving 100% anonymity for the reporting person.

If you see children who appear to be involved in criminal activity, they may actually be victims of exploitation. Recognising the signs of this and speaking up could help protect a child from serious harm.

Detective Inspector Steve Moorcroft for Devon & Cornwall Police said: “County lines continues to affect communities across the UK, but much of the activity remains hidden. The importance of reports from the public to help us see the extent of criminal activity, and where it’s happening, cannot be overemphasised, but we understand why crime often goes unreported.

“People are unsure what they have seen and they fear being wrong about it. They may also worry about getting involved. This is why people should be assured that if they would rather not speak to the police, they can make a report through Crimestoppers and remain 100% anonymous.”

Children are groomed, manipulated and controlled by organised criminals. When they go missing, perhaps repeatedly, this is often a key warning sign of exploitation. Violence and weapon carrying are also frequently linked to county lines activity, as are behavioural changes. Meeting up with people outside of a usual friend group, especially adults, and the acquisition of more than one phone or expensive clothes are all signs that could indicate exploitation.

DI Moorcroft continued: “Information received from the public is vital to the police in understanding where the exploitation of children is taking place and who is involved.

“As an example, during the four and a half years that Operation Scorpion has been running across the south west, 1,380 people including children have been identified and taken away from organised criminal exploitation to be safeguarded. Intelligence received from the public plays a very big part in the success of this work.”

If you've seen or suspect criminal exploitation and don't want to speak to the police, you can tell Crimestoppers what you know on the phone on 0800 555 111 and online 24/7, 365 days a year, always 100% anonymously.

There is more about criminal exploitation on the Crimestoppers website, where people can also make their 100% anonymous reports Missing, controlled and exploited: the hidden reality of County Lines in the UK | Crimestoppers