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Two thirds of police forces report issue with 'county lines' child exploitation

Children are being exploited by drugs gangs through so-called "county lines" crime, in at least two thirds of police force areas a National Crime Agency report has found.

The third annual report on so-called "county lines" crime - which involves gangs from urban areas establishing drug-dealing networks in rural areas - found that vulnerable people and young people and children continue to be exploited by gangs through coercion and threats of violence.

The report states that some vulnerable individuals are trafficked into remote markets to work while others are falsely imprisoned in their own homes, which have been taken over, or "cuckooed", using force or coercion.

According to the report there is evidence of county lines activity in 38 force areas (88 per cent). It gives a conservative estimate that there are at least 720 lines across England and Wales.

In total, 65 per cent (28) of 43 police forces across England and Wales said children in their area had been forced to carry or deal drugs, or been victims of sexual exploitation. The youngest involved was reported to be aged 12.

A quarter (26 per cent) of forces reported evidence of CSE being involved, and a further seven percent reported possible cases of CSE.

Gangs are also specifically targeting vulnerable children in care homes, the report found. Half of forces said children from residential care were being exploited through county lines crime and three forces had evidence that gangs were actively targeting children's homes in search of new recruits.

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