'County lines' refers to drug gangs utilizing dedicated mobile phone numbers to distribute drugs across various regions, often involving vulnerable children in their operations.

The Home Office has identified county lines as one of the most violent models of drug supply, with approximately 14,000 children at risk or involved in child criminal exploitation during the 2022-23 period.

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson has emphasized the need for dedicated resources to combat organized crime and protect children from exploitation, announcing plans for a new offense targeting child criminal exploitation.

The Children's Society is advocating for legal changes to enhance protections for young people who are being exploited by predators in the drug trade.

The Children’s Society is calling for urgent government action to focus on early intervention and establish a statutory definition of child criminal exploitation to hold perpetrators accountable.

Recent police efforts have resulted in the closure of 410 county lines and the arrest of 557 individuals between July and September 2024.

In a significant enforcement action last month, authorities made 1,660 arrests, seized 557 weapons, and confiscated over £3 million worth of illegal drugs across England and Wales.

Since July 2024, more than 800 vulnerable individuals have been referred for safeguarding, with over 200 children accessing specialized support services.