Drug gangs are exploiting
vulnerable people in your area

Drug gangs are exploiting vulnerable people in your area

Criminals from major cities such as London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are expanding their drug networks into rural and suburban areas throughout the county. This can have a massive impact on your community, as together with the misery that drug abuse can cause, it also brings associated serious criminal behaviour such as violence, exploitation and abuse. You may have heard this referred to in the media as County Lines. This refers to the use of a single telephone number to order drugs, operated from outside the area. Help us keep your community safe and protect those who need help. Contact Crimestoppers anonymously online or by phone.

They do not care how much suffering or damage they inflict on people’s lives

They recruit and force vulnerable adults and children to act as couriers to move drugs and cash for them so that they are detached from the criminal activity and less likely to be detected. They often set up a base in a rural area, taking over the home of a vulnerable person; this is known as Cuckooing, and use adults and children to acts as runners for drugs. The most common drugs involved are Heroin, Cannabis, MDNA and Spice. Do you have concerns about a vulnerable person who is being exploited by these urban drug gangs?

Spot the signs of exploitation and abuse

• Do they suddenly have lots of money/lots of new clothes/new mobile phones?
• Are they receiving more calls or texts than usual?
• Are they travelling alone to places far away from home?
• Are they carrying or selling drugs?
• Are they carrying weapons?
• Are they in a relationship with or hanging out with someone/people that are older and controlling?
• Do they have unexplained injuries?
• Do they seem very reserved or seem like they have something to hide?
• Are they going missing from school or their home?

Spot the signs of a property that is being used for drug dealing

• Lots of different people visiting the property
• People coming and going at odd times of the day or night
• Increase in cars pulling up close to the property often for short periods of time
• Increase in ant-social behaviour near the property
• Curtains or blinds closed all of the time
• Disengagement with support services

Crimestoppers ask that people who have information about drug gangs speak up and stay safe

Give information to Crimestoppers 100% anonymously at 0800 555 111 or via the online form.

Crimestoppers 100% anonymous. Always. Everyone has the right to feel safe. Where ever they live. Download the Crimestoppers Drug Dealer leaflet (large PDF file) Go to the Crimestoppers web site