Nottinghamshire Police work to disrupt County Lines drug dealings between Nottingham and Lincoln

Police efforts to disrupt County Lines criminals and their operations between Nottingham and Lincoln is paying off.

County Lines is where drugs are taken from one area to another ­— across police and council boundaries ­— usually transported by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs. The ‘County Line’ is the mobile phone line used to take orders of the drugs.

Nottinghamshire Police works to bring offenders to justice and disrupt the gangs operations, as well as raising awareness of the issue in the communities.

Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Scott said: “The organised crime gangs who run County Lines exploit children and vulnerable adults to line their own pockets.

“They use debt, violence and threats to carry out their activities and prey upon the most vulnerable people within our communities.”

The team has also successfully shut down County Lines, including one operating between Nottingham and Lincoln after a series of raids.

Drug dealer JJ Logal Cross was jailed for nine years last month following an investigation that linked him to organised crime involving firearms, Class A drugs and money laundering.

The County Line team works closely with the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and other policing teams.

Detective Scott said: “The public are an extra set of eyes and ears for us in trying to tackle criminal gangs head-on.

“The information also allows us to engage with the young people, which is hugely important in our battle against County Lines.

“We know young people in the grip of County Lines criminals regularly use trains, buses and taxis to travel from Nottingham to other parts of the country to sell drugs.

“I would urge people to be vigilant. If you feel like there’s something suspicious about another passenger in your carriage, or you’re concerned that a young person is travelling on their own, please contact the police.

Always report anything suspicious and trust your instincts ­— it is key to getting that message about County Lines out there.

“Even if someone isn't involved in County Lines drug dealing, it is possible they are being exploited in some other way, so it's always worth speaking out.

“You can speak to police by dialling 101, or in an emergency 999. If you would rather remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“If you notice something linked to the railways, you can report concerns to the British Transport Police by texting 61016 from your mobile.

“If you are a young person who is worried about your involvement, or a friend's involvement in County Lines a good option is to speak to an adult you trust and talk to them about your concerns. You can also call Childline on 0800 1111.”