More than 240 children and vulnerable adults, exploited into drug trafficking, have been safeguarded by the Met in a crackdown on county lines.
The Met took part in the latest national county lines intensification week, which ran from Monday, 17 to Sunday, 23 May.
As a result of the week-long work, police from across the country arrested 190 people and helped 249 vulnerable people safeguarded, including 119 children.
The following was also seized throughout operations:
– 8kg (2,887 wraps) of Class A drugs;
– More than 11kg of Class B drugs including 199 cannabis plants;
– Four firearms, two imitation firearms, ammunition and a CS spray;
– 17 knives and one axe;
– 27 drug lines run from London to counties. This includes removing the mobile phone and the line holder to shut it down;
– £126,000 in cash;
– Criminal assets including designer clothing, £80,000 of watches and a number of vehicles.
Officers also made 13 referrals to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which assesses individuals as potential victims of human trafficking/modern slavery.
County lines is the name given to drug dealing where criminals use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas across the whole country.
The gangs exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs. They are controlled by being threatened with high levels of violence and intimidation.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty, said: “… “We see a significant amount of violence, often chaotic violence involving young people, linked to county lines. That’s why disrupting the supply of drugs through all routes continues to form a central part of our work to tackle violence on the streets of London.
“We need you to help us keep our communities safe and I would implore you to contact us, or the independent charities Crimestoppers or Fearless anonymously, with any information you have regarding drug dealing, exploitation, or violent crime in your area. We all have a responsibility to make London a safe place for everyone.”
National charity The Children’s Society works with partners including specialist teams in the Met to develop plans to disrupt exploitation and protect vulnerable children.
Kelly Lewington, the charity’s London Area Manager, said: “Criminals groom children into county lines with offers of cash, friendship, status, drugs and alcohol, then threaten them with horrific violence if they dare report this.
“By identifying signs of exploitation, police officers can play their part not only in building evidence against those who cynically exploit children but also in helping to ensure these young people get the help they desperately need.
“These children may have been manipulated, abused and traumatised by those exploiting them, which can lead to them appearing angry and aggressive and not necessarily behaving in the way people might expect of victims.
“We have delivered training to Met officers and custody staff to support them to look beyond the obvious in recognising and responding to exploitation – including as part of our Look Closer campaign during this week of action.
“Look Closer calls on all members of the public, as well as parents and professionals, to look out for and report signs of exploitation to the police.”
If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, you can call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
If you would like to provide information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Young people can give information 100% anonymously by contacting the charity Fearless.