The National Crime Agency (NCA) has published its fourth annual assessment into county lines drug supply, vulnerability and harm in the UK. The county lines offending model involves gangs and criminal networks moving drugs within the UK using dedicated mobile phone lines to take orders.
Findings include: there are over 2,000 individual deal line numbers in the UK; children aged 15-17 make up the bulk of referrals related to the National Referral Mechanism about county lines; and grooming techniques are similar to those used in child sexual exploitation and abuse.
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