Hartismere School

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County lines

County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’.

County lines is the police term for urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas and market and coastal towns using dedicated mobile phone lines or “deal lines”. It involves child criminal exploitation (CCE) as gangs use children and vulnerable people to move drugs and money.

Gangs establish a base in the market location, typically by taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion in a practice referred to as ‘cuckooing’.

County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving drugs, violence, gangs, safeguarding, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern slavery, and missing persons; and the response to tackle it involves the police, the National Crime Agency, a wide range of Government departments, local government agencies and VCS (voluntary and community sector) organisations.

County lines activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.

 

 

In this section...

Domestic Violence

Bullying and child on child abuse

Early Help

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Prevent - Radicalisation and Extremism

Child to parent abuse

Out of hours information

E-Safety

Advice about improving your sleep

Policies and guidance

Explore...

The ABC online safety checklist

Safeguarding: BeReal

Wellbeing

NHS 111 mental health support

Safeguarding

Safeguarding: X

TwitBook - Can you spot the problems with this profile page?

Safeguarding: Social Media & Mental Health

Safeguarding: Instagram

Online Safety Help Videos

New...

Year 7 tutors/parents evening

Managing In-Game Spending

Film Academy Shorts

29_09_25 7yA Cover

WAR HORSE, Norwich Theatre Royal, Thursday 6th November 2025 Places available

HERCULES THE MUSICAL- Years 7 & 8. London

STARLIGHT EXPRESS, London. Thursday 2nd October. Closed

Simon Pegg Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters |

Discover...

County Lines Safeguarding Drugs Instagram Year 10 Bereal Spending Holiday Policy Exploitation Year 12 School Nurse Wellbeing Science Week Out Of Hours Guide Internet Year 11

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