EU report highlights 'extensive abuse' of vulnerable children by county lines drugs gangs

The EU Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and Europol’s 2019 Drugs Market Report details examples of drug activity and its effect on victims throughout Europe.

Through its research into victims being coerced into drug production and trafficking, the report raises the example of the county lines model of drug networking, which it says has “become widespread in the UK”.

This is where drugs are supplied by gangs from cities into rural areas and market towns through exploiting vulnerable people, often children, and forcing them to distribute and traffick drugs.

“It makes extensive use of the exploitation of vulnerable people. These include recruiting vulnerable children, for example in the care of social services or excluded from school, and adults,” the report states.

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The EU bodies are particularly concerned that many county lines victims are dependent on drugs themselves and are forced into dealing in exchange for drugs or to pay off drug debts.  

“This exploitative business model allows criminal groups to expand to new areas at low cost and minimal risk, as they do not have to pay the vulnerable individuals whom they exploit, who are also the most exposed to the risk of arrest,” adds the report.

In September a £3.6m unit involving experts from police forces and the National Crime Agency (NCA) was set up in the UK to tackle county lines crime.

In the same month a £1.9m research project was launched to find ways to better support young victims of county lines dealing as well as child sexual exploitation.

According to the NCA there are more than 1,000 of these networks nationally. The Children’s Society has warned that children as young as seven are being exploited through county lines.

St Giles Trust, who work with young people affected by gang violence and exploitation said those caught up in county lines networks “are treated like expendable commodities”.  

A spokeswoman added that most become willingly involved at first “lured in by promises of quick cash, status and belonging”.

“However, once involved they carry all the risks through transporting and dealing the drugs and are often exposed to appalling levels of intimidation, threats and abuse.  These experiences can mean they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and it takes a great deal of time and effort to help them recover and get their young lives back,” she added.

The Trust employ specially trained staff with similar experiences to those they aim to help.

“They are credible and relatable and can reach young people who would otherwise struggle to engage with services and support.  Having been there themselves, our team are able to spot early potential risks and ensure swift action is put in place to mitigate them,” the spokeswoman said.

The Trust works with police forces and local authorities to offer help to those involved in county lines networks in Kent, London and south Wales.

It has so-far helped 428 young people to exit county lines.

The issue has also been highlighted by children’s commissioner for England Anne Longfield. Her February report Keeping Kids Safe said vulnerable children need to be better protected from the “scourge of serious violence, county lines drug running and gang activity”.