County lines

What is county lines exploitation?

County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving drugs, violence, gangs, safeguarding, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern slavery, and missing persons; and the response to tackle it involves the police, the National Crime Agency, a wide range of Government departments, local government agencies and VCS (voluntary and community sector) organisations.

Whilst County Lines can often affect any child or or young person under the age of 18, it can also affect any vulnerable adults over the age of 18 years:

• it can still be exploitation even if the activity appears consensual;
• it can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and is often accompanied by violence or threats of violence;
• it can be perpetrated by individuals or groups, males or females, and young people or adults; and
• it is typified by some form of power imbalance in favour of those perpetrating the exploitation. Whilst age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, cognitive ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources.

For more information on County lines please see:

Home Office Guidance: Criminal Exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: County Lines guidance – September 2018

National Crime Agency Briefing Report: County Lines Drug Supply Vulnerability and Harm 2018