Current timestamp: 28/06/2022 14:12:19
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Derbyshire Constabulary logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • An event or procession
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Landlords, taxi drivers and train users urged to look for vulnerable people who could be involved in ‘County Lines'

Main article content

Navigation

News

11:50 10/10/2019

Landlords, taxi drivers and train users are being urged to look for vulnerable people who could be involved with a ‘County Lines’ drugs gang.

 

County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and criminal networks involved in the supply of drugs in an area separate to where the ringleaders come from.

 

The gangs typically exploit vulnerable adults and children and use a dedicated phone line to contact users and deal drugs.

 

They will often use coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.

 

Drug dealers often take over the home of a vulnerable person to run the drug line from - this is known as cuckooing.

 

Officers are visiting landlords, letting agents and taxi firms to talk about how they can look for vulnerable victims and they are working with British Transport Police to display posters at train stations and on trains.

 

They are also visiting schools and children’s’ homes to talk to staff and youngsters about the issue.

 

Detective Inspector Matt Croome, who is part of the force’s dedicated County Lines Disruption Team, said: “These gangs recruit vulnerable people and send them, often with a package of drugs, to deal elsewhere in the country. They are using the rail network and unknowing taxi firms to transport these people and we want raise awareness of this.

 

“We are also speaking to landlords as they may find their properties used in cuckooing, or discover vulnerable young people staying at a house which they were not aware of.

 

“If you suspect something, please call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You could help safeguard someone too vulnerable to help themselves.”

 

 County Lines week.jpg

Taxi drivers are being urged to look for these signs:

·         Is your passenger a child, sometimes as young as 12, and travelling alone?

·         Are they travelling during school hours, or unusual hours for a youngster to be away from home, such as early morning or very late at night?

·         Are they unfamiliar with the local area or do they have an accent which is not local?

·         Are they travelling a long distance?

·         Are they paying for these journeys in cash?

Landlords are encouraged to look for these signs:

·         Does your tenant appear to be rich but they want to rent an inexpensive property?

·         Are they unable to provide landlord or employment references?

·         Do they prefer to pay rent in cash without good reason?

·         Do they stop you from inspecting your property when given reasonable notice?

Train drivers and those who regularly travel by train are urged to look for these signs:

·         Have you seen a child, sometimes as young as 12, on the train alone?

·         Are they travelling long distances?

·         Are they travelling during school hours, or unusual hours for a youngster to be away from home, such as early morning or very late at night?

·         Do they travel on the same route on a regular basis, like once or twice a week?

·         Are they receiving an excessive number of texts or phone calls?

·         Are they with someone older who is buying their tickets or giving them money for tickets?

·         Are they deliberately avoiding authority figures, such as police officers or railway staff?

If you suspect someone is involved in County Lines, or a property has been cuckooed, contact us or Crimestoppers. You can also contact the County Lines Disruption Team at [email protected] or call 0300 122 8911.

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Derbyshire Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service

Follow us on

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.