Vulnerable children 'consistently failed' by county lines response, charity warns

In its response to a report on progress made by police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) in tackling county lines at local, regional and national levels, The Children’s Society said young people were still being failed by services designed to protect them.

Crucial information that could also prevent young people from becoming victims of child criminal exploitation was also not being shared, the charity said.

The report, Both Sides of the Coin; The Police and National Crime Agency’s Response to Vulnerable People in ‘County Lines’ Drug Offending, was published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

The inspectorate said despite an improved understanding by police forces and the NCA of county lines activity, current policing models are too “disjointed to allow for the most effective response”.

The charity said while it welcomed progress made by police forces in responding to the problem of county lines, all agencies were consistently failing to identify children at risk.

• Gangs and Criminal Exploitation: Special Report

• Leading the fight against county lines gangs in Kent

“These are children who may have been groomed with drugs, alcohol, or promises of status and wealth who then face the trauma of being coerced with terrifying threats, violence and sexual abuse to carry drugs around the country,” said Mark Russell, the charity’s chief executive.

In some cases, this led to young people being treated as criminals rather than recognised and supported as victims, he added.

The report identifies areas where improvement is needed such as joint working with other public services.

“Professionals from other agencies often have contact with county lines victims before the police become involved. They need to ask the right questions to recognise the signs of exploitation.

“Systems for collating and sharing intelligence and information between the police and other agencies are crucial to preventing exploitation efficiently and effectively,” the report states.

It also describes problems with demand for services which often outstripped supply such as a lack of 24/7 multi-agency support, healthcare provision and insufficient beds in secure accommodation.

The report draws attention to how one organisation’s lack of resources can result in a negative effect on the demand other organisations face.

“For example, gaps in youth service provision can mean that young people are not diverted away from crime.

“They can go on to offend, creating demand for the police and the criminal justice system,” the report states.

It highlights the case of one unnamed area where the police and crime commissioner diverted funds from policing to pay for youth workers.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said the report identified “strong collaborative work” between policing and the NCA to tackle county lines and highlighted the “significant progress” made since the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre was launched in 2018.

But the NPCC’s lead for county lines, deputy assistant commissioner Graham McNulty warned there was still “room to improve” and it was reviewing the use of orders to disable drug dealers’ mobile phones as well as working with its partners to improve information sharing.

“Police are committed to dismantling violent county lines networks and protecting the young and vulnerable people who are exploited by them but we can’t do it alone. 

“Schools, health and social care services, charities and others have a critical role in ending this evil practice and we will continue to work closely with them,” he said.