City crime gangs are forcing kids to sell drugs in Leicestershire towns and villages

Police have arrested 21 suspects and seized drugs, cash and weapons in a series of raids aimed at lifting the lid on the hidden misery of ‘county lines’ dealing.

Last week’s operation, which targeted addresses in Hinckley, Loughborough and Market Harborough areas, was part of a crackdown on a form of dealing known as ‘county lines’.

The term refers to drug dealers from large cities sending young or vulnerable people to deal on their behalf – often against their will – in smaller towns and villages.

Young and vulnerable people are being forced to work as drug dealers

Typically, gangs recruit their victims through bribery and bullying and set them to work from drug-users’ homes.

Taking over the drug users’ homes and using them as a base for operations is a technique known as ‘cuckooing’.

The county line refers to the telephones dealers are given to conduct their transactions.

Speaking publicly for the first time about county lines, Leicestershire Police said it is working with the National Crime Agency to determine the scale of the problem in the city and county.

One of the drugs warrants was executed in Edwin Court (Image: Google)

Senior officers urged members of the public to learn to spot the signs of children or vulnerable people who are being exploited by county lines drugs gangs and for homes which have been taken over.

The telltale signs

Signs that someone has been drawn against their will into county lines drug dealing:

Have they started hanging around with a different crowd, skipping school and staying out late?
Are they being secretive and withdrawn?
Do they have unexplained injuries?
Do they suddenly have more money and can afford expensive things like phones, watches and branded clothing?

Signs that a house has been taken over and is being used as a base for dealers:

Has there been an increase in the number of coming and goings?
Are there new vehicles turning up outside the property, as well as taxis or hire cars?
Are there people living there who you haven’t seen before?
Has there been an increase in anti-social behaviour in and around the property?
Does the property appear sparse of valuable possessions?
Is the building and garden being left in a state of disrepair?

Detective Inspector Helena Bhakta said: “As a force, our immediate concern and focus is to protect those vulnerable people in our communities who are susceptible and easily led into this lifestyle as well as to disrupt offending.

“It is important we raise awareness and encourage communities to come forward and report this type of criminality to us.

“We are continuing to work closely with partners in social care, health, education, housing, immigration and probation to identify incidents with a view to safeguard those involved and encourage reporting of suspected county lines activity.

Two people exchanging drugs for money (Image: Getty Images)

Superintendent Shane O’Neill, who is the force lead for serious harm reduction, said: “This is not an issue which can be eradicated by the police alone and local communities can play a large part in identifying problem areas and those they think may be a risk.

“County lines activity is clearly organised crime that the force will continue to work in partnership to deal locally and inform the national picture around this crime.”

Last week, police executed search warrants in the Hinckley, Loughborough and Market Harborough areas and arrested the 21 suspects, four of whom have been charged.

Four addresses, three in Hinckley and one in Market Harborough, were also identified as being used for cuckooing and these are now subject to closure orders.

In addition, seven homes in the North West Leicestershire area have also recently been given closures orders as part of a joint police and council operation to tackle drug dealing activity.

Officers also seized a ‘significant’ amount of class A and class B drugs a well as more than £2,500 in cash and a number of weapons, including a shotgun and a machete.