Understanding how criminal networks use children and young people as runners in drug supply operations, and how to spot the warning signs.
County Lines is a form of criminal exploitation in which gangs coerce children into carrying and selling drugs across areas, often using threats, violence, and control.
County lines is the term used to describe a model of drug distribution in which criminal gangs export drugs from cities to smaller towns, villages, and rural areas using children and vulnerable people to carry and sell drugs. Children are groomed, coerced, or forced into acting as runners or drug holders, often under the threat of violence. It is a form of child criminal exploitation and is treated as a safeguarding priority by police, schools, and social care.
Gangs typically target vulnerable young people — those who are isolated, in care, or experiencing difficulties at home. Children may initially be offered gifts, money, or a sense of belonging before being coerced into carrying drugs. Once involved, children are frequently controlled through debt bondage, violence, or threats to their families. The 'county line' itself is a mobile phone number used to take drugs orders.
In your child's behaviour
On their device
Know the county lines indicators and share information
All staff in schools, youth services, and social care should know the county lines warning signs. Information sharing between agencies is critical — use your local MASH and attend multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARAC/MACE) where relevant.
Build trusted relationships with young people
Young people who have a trusted adult they can speak to are more likely to disclose involvement or seek help. Early relationship-building through youth work and pastoral support is a key preventive strategy.
Respond to all missing episodes as potential exploitation
Every time a young person goes missing should be treated as a potential county lines or exploitation incident. Return home interviews should explore this possibility in a trauma-informed, non-judgemental way.
In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
Myth: County lines is a big-city problem — it doesn't happen in towns like ours.
Fact: The model is built on moving drugs from cities into smaller towns, villages, and coastal areas. Quiet places are the market, not the exception, and children are recruited at both ends of the line.
Myth: My child is doing well at school — gangs wouldn't be interested in them.
Fact: Gangs deliberately recruit children who don't fit the stereotype, because they attract less attention from police. Money, trainers, status, and a sense of belonging are offered to all kinds of children.
Myth: If my child were involved, it would be obvious.
Fact: Children are coached to hide it. The signs are often subtle at first — a second phone, unexplained cash or clothes, going missing for short periods, or travel they can't easily explain.
Recruitment this young is rare but younger children are sometimes used precisely because they look innocent. Know who they spend time with, and teach that older kids offering money or asking them to hold or carry something is always one to tell you about.
This is when grooming often starts. Talk about how 'easy money' offers really work, watch for new older friends, free items, and unexplained cash, and keep asking open questions about who they know online and off.
Peak-risk years. Take any missing episode seriously, notice second phones and travel to unfamiliar places, and agree they can always call you for a lift or a way out, no questions asked that night — questions can come later.
Older teenagers coerced into carrying or selling are still victims of exploitation in law. Don't confront a gang yourself — go to the police and children's social care, and get specialist support; leaving a line safely takes a coordinated plan.
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