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Original poster

County Lines

48 replies

KobaniDaughters · 17/02/2022 17:00

Moving from abroad to potentially Hampshire in the summer and a friend has just told me about County Lines and sent me loads of newspaper links which is freaking me out (I have 10&13yr olds)

Can anyone assuage my panic?! First I’ve heard of them….

OP posts:
OMGItsEarly · 17/02/2022 17:44

A couple of years ago DS started staying out really late, and even sneaking out later, and I saw he had clothes we hadn’t seen before but he didn’t work and we hadn’t given him money. I was really freaking out and panicking about county lines. Turns out it was a girlfriend we didn’t know about and she had given him some of her brothers old sweatshirts!

So, I do understand your worry, but these sorts of things can happen where ever you live tbh. Why did your friend feel the need to send you the articles? Does she live in the area? Does she live elsewhere and hope you will move nearer her area?

You could pick any location and Google it and crime and come up with something to put you off I imagine.

Is the place you are specifically thinking of moving to listed here?
crimerate.co.uk/hampshire

mnahmnah · 17/02/2022 17:50

They in every area, it’s not a Hampshire thing!

mnahmnah · 17/02/2022 17:50

*they’re

nagsarse · 17/02/2022 17:54

Sadly I think County Lines is just about everywhere now. Basically, the bastards who are making money from selling drugs in the cities are targeting young people (usually vulnerable ones) in rural areas not too far away. So areas that previously no-one would have thought would have a drug problem suddenly do.

Bairnsmum05 · 17/02/2022 17:55

I've never heard this expression in Scotland. Need to go Google!

bananaramaroo · 17/02/2022 18:54

County lines is everywhere.
Basically they use vulnerable people (young usually) to take drug parcels/money from county to county on trains or buses. Pushing from A to B. Usually starts with grooming of child or vulnerable person to do something as a favour. Then they get paid for another favour. Then they get drafted in for bigger jobs.
Police and schools are now trained to spot the signs.
Just talk openly to your child about it.

100problems · 17/02/2022 19:07

Not just Hampshire as a PP said.

Kids and staff are trained in school to be vigilant and what to do.

They target vulnerable kids, which you could argue is all kids travelling alone, but the Tells a kid has gotten involved are pretty easy to spot.

Explain the dangers to your children and what they need to do if they're approached. If they tell a teacher they'll be on it quick as a flash.

My DC travel on CL train routes daily. They travel in groups but if they're alone they're taught to sit nearer older adults.

A kid at DC's school was approached in a Co op. He's a loner and vulnerable but he went straight to the DSL who jumped into action.

itsgettingweird · 17/02/2022 19:29

Which part of Hampshire?

Yes there county lines in Hampshire that have recently made it to the coast (or maybe it's just more visible?).

But it's in every county. Hence the name of it.

And areas where it's prevalent are actually better in many ways because police and schools are more alert to it.

itsgettingweird · 17/02/2022 19:31

OMG thanks for that link.

Divebar2021 · 17/02/2022 19:32

Why has your friend done that? Are you living in a country with no crime? I doubt Hampshire is going to be a hot bed of criminality in comparison to other certain parts of the country or world for that matter

bananaramaroo · 17/02/2022 19:44

Although having said 'everywhere' it's not like anyone would get involved. It's about targeting vulnerable people to do the shit jobs. Your children are unlikely to even know it's happening.

megletthesecond · 17/02/2022 20:24

It's all round the UK. They target vulnerable children.
My teens know about it but they aren't in a group likely to be targeted.

marqueses · 17/02/2022 20:41

That's an interesting thing to tell someone about. I have teens and have not spent a single second worrying that they might get involved in drug running

It is something that exists everywhere but it's not something that all teens are likely to have any exposure too at all if that makes sense

All I can say is that it's not something I would eventhink to mention to someone moving to England

LoudSnoringDog · 17/02/2022 20:50

It's everywhere. Yes they do target vulnerable kids but they also target well to do kids ( especially middle class girls) who might be a bit in awe of the "street life". Have seen quite a bit of this in CAMHS

itsgettingweird · 17/02/2022 21:07

@LoudSnoringDog

It's everywhere. Yes they do target vulnerable kids but they also target well to do kids ( especially middle class girls) who might be a bit in awe of the "street life". Have seen quite a bit of this in CAMHS
That's interesting. I've not heard of this angle of recruiting.

Thanks for posting this as it always helps to have the stereotypes your fed challenged and expanded to know the truth - not just what your told.

Original poster
KobaniDaughters · 17/02/2022 21:19

This is actually quite reassuring, thanks everyone

OP posts:
Wafflesnsniffles · 17/02/2022 21:22

This documentary is well worth a watch - but I guess you may not be able to overseas.

www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-child-drug-runners-dispatches

Original poster
KobaniDaughters · 17/02/2022 21:26

@Wafflesnsniffles I think that’s the kind of documentary my friend has been referring to. Immediate concern if if I’m putting my DC right in the centre of it but a lot of these responses have really helped monitor my panic!

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 17/02/2022 21:27

It’s everywhere, remote seaside towns, rural villages.
Apparently it’s easier to get drugs delivered than a pizza.

Ozanj · 17/02/2022 21:27

@KobaniDaughters

Moving from abroad to potentially Hampshire in the summer and a friend has just told me about County Lines and sent me loads of newspaper links which is freaking me out (I have 10&13yr olds)

Can anyone assuage my panic?! First I’ve heard of them….

What exactly are you worried abour?
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 17/02/2022 21:27

County lines is everywhere, just like theft is everywhere, just like knife crime is everywhere, just like drug dealing/taking is everywhere.

Its not something id consider when moving tbh

Ozanj · 17/02/2022 21:29

County lines tends to be worst in locations where you can get cheap tickets to / from London / Birmingham / Manchester. But everywhere has it really

raspberryjamchicken · 17/02/2022 21:35

Yes, it's everywhere. I work in safeguarding for schools and it's a major problem. It is particularly vulnerable children that are targeted. However, many children will never encounter anything to do with it, even in areas where it's a big issue. Be open with your kids and discuss with them what to look out for.

LoudSnoringDog · 17/02/2022 21:43

White middle class kids are targeted as more likely to evade the normal police scrutiny