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County Lines & Exploitation

County Lines: Escaping Exploitation

"County Lines" is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal groups that exploit young people and vulnerable adults to carry, store, and sell illegal drugs. They use dedicated mobile phone lines (the "line") to coordinate drug running from large cities (like London) into smaller towns and rural areas across Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex.

Criminal networks rarely look like they do on TV. Exploitation almost always begins with grooming—where a gang or group member acts like a friend, older brother figure, or romantic interest. They might buy you expensive gifts, pay for your food, lend you money, or offer you a sense of protection. However, this is a trap designed to create a "debt" that you are then forced to pay off through criminal behaviour.

You are the victim, not the criminal. If you have been caught up in this, or are worried about a friend, you are not in trouble. Specialised local support networks and legal frameworks exist to protect you, keep you safe, and help you break free safely.

> Click for Links/Apps/Pods/Books/Media

Podcasts

Gangland Wire / BBC Sounds: File on 4 (County Lines Specials)

- Episodes tracking how gangs operate across East Anglia (Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex). Featuring interviews with undercover officers, youth workers, and survivors, it exposes the exact texting and social media tactics gangs use to trap young people.

The St Giles Trust Podcast: Inside the Line

- Powerful first-hand accounts. Hosted by caseworkers from the St Giles Trust—many of whom are reformed former gang members—this series offers a raw look at the realities of exploitation. They break down the myths of "glamour" in the drug trade and provide real, practical advice on how to spot grooming and exit a line safely.

The Mix UK: Under the Radar

- Built specifically for young adults under 25. This audio series focuses on the psychological side of exploitation—explaining how gangs weaponize loneliness, loyalty, and artificial "debts" to control people, and how to spot if a friend is slipping under their influence.

LadBible Stories - 'I was Groomed into Drug Trafficking at 14' - Interview with Manny Gullam from Chelmsford, who tells his story of being groomed into drug trafficking operation known as County Lines - going from trading cocaine, crack and heroin on the streets miles away from home at a young age to finding a way out of drug trafficking.

Books & Survival Guides

The Children's Society: "A Guide to Exploitation for Young People"

- A free, highly visual digital booklet available on their website. It functions as a legal and practical survival toolkit, explaining your rights under the Modern Slavery Act and providing step-by-step instructions on how to use anonymous reporting pipelines.

"County Lines" by Jason Farrell

- A clear, accessible guide to the mechanics of modern British drug networks. It strips away the complex legal jargon to show students exactly what "cuckooing" and financial grooming look like in real life.

Almost True by Keren David

Ruthless killers are hunting Ty so the police move him and his mum to a quiet seaside town. But a horrific attack and a bullet meant for Ty prove that he's not safe. On the road again, Ty's in hiding with complete strangers . . . who seem to know a lot about him. Meanwhile he's desperate to see his girlfriend Claire, and terrified that she may betray him. Ty can't trust his own judgement and he's making dangerous decisions that could deliver him straight to the gangsters. A thrilling sequel to When I Was Joe, shot through with drama and suspense.

> Click for Local Support

Call 999 (Emergency Services)

If you are being actively threatened, followed, or harmed, dial 999 immediately from any mobile or landline, even if your phone has no credit or network signal.

The Silent Solution: If you are trapped with gang members and cannot speak out loud without putting yourself in danger, dial 999 and stay on the line. When prompted by the automated operator, press 55 on your phone keypad. This tells the police that you are in a life-threatening crisis but cannot safely speak, and they will dispatch officers to your location.
If You Are on a Train: Many County Lines operations use regional rail lines across Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex. If you are on a train and feel unsafe or are being forced to carry items, text the British Transport Police directly on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40. They have dedicated intercept units at local stations.

Suffolk

Suffolk Constabulary (Operation Velocity): Call 101 or 01473 613500. Tell them you are a young adult at risk of exploitation. Operation Velocity is Suffolk's dedicated team built to disrupt county lines and extract young people safely.

The Criminal Exploitation (CE) Hubs & Make a Change Team | 01473 263548

- A dedicated, system-wide team in Suffolk built to protect and empower young people up to age 25 from the risks of gang exploitation, trafficking, and modern slavery. You can reach them directly at makeachange@suffolk.ac.uk.

Suffolk Customer First | 0808 800 4005

- The secure county gateway to raise urgent safeguarding concerns or access emergency adolescent intervention services completely anonymously.

Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership: suffolksp.org.uk – Information on how local services work together to keep people safe.

Gangs & County Lines: Suffolk Police Advice – Guidance on recognising and avoiding exploitation and organised crime.

Norfolk

Norfolk Constabulary (Operation Gravity): Call 101. State the code words "Operation Gravity". This alerts the force's specialised unit dealing with urban drug gangs exploiting young people in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, and King's Lynn.

The Rose Project & Magdalene Group | Freephone: 0808 800 1037

- The Service: A specialized Norfolk youth safety program offering direct support, a live chat facility, and 1-1 mentoring for young people who are being coerced, experiencing risky environments, or running away from home.

Norfolk Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS) | 0344 800 8020

- The Service: The immediate point of contact to report youth exploitation or find localized emergency community safety support across Norfolk.

Essex

Essex Police (Operation Raptor): Call 101. State the code words "Operation Raptor". Raptor is the specialised Essex task force targeting gang activity, drug supply, and youth exploitation across Colchester, Chelmsford, and coastal towns.

CARE Together (Children at Risk of Exploitation) | 01245 493311

- The Service: An Essex-wide multi-agency service that supports young people who have been, or are at risk of being, criminally or sexually exploited. They offer vital 1-1 therapeutic safety sessions and specialized independent advocacy.

Essex Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Service (EYPDAS)

- The Service: Supports young people under 25 who have been pulled into substance misuse or the "drug supply lifestyle" by local organized crime groups.

National Support

If you need immediate help but are terrified of retaliation or the gang finding out you spoke to someone, use these lines. They never ask for your name and cannot track your phone or IP address:

SafeCall (By Missing People) | Call or Text: 116 000 (24/7)

- A completely confidential, non-judgmental safe line explicitly for young people caught up in County Lines, drug running, or criminal exploitation. They provide emergency safety planning and can help you figure out a safe way to exit the line.

Fearless / Crimestoppers | Freephone: 0800 555 111 (24/7)

- You can call this number or report online at Fearless.org. They pass information directly to criminal intelligence units to shut down drug lines and protect young people, but they legally cannot record your identity or phone number.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact, it can also occur through the use of technology.

Criminal Exploitation

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) happens when someone uses power, control or threats to involve a child or young person under 18 in criminal activity. This may be in exchange for something they need or want, or for the benefit of the exploiter. Violence, intimidation and manipulation are often used.

A common form of CCE is “county lines”, where gangs use children and vulnerable adults to transport and store drugs and money across the UK. These gangs often use mobile phone networks, coercion, threats, violence and weapons to control those they exploit.

Spotting the Signs of Coercion & "Cuckooing"

Gangs look for vulnerabilities—such as needing cash, feeling lonely, or facing housing instability. Use this list to check if your situation, or a friend's behaviour, has become dangerous:

"Cuckooing"

This is when a gang takes over a vulnerable person’s house or flat (including student accommodation) to use it as a base to manufacture or distribute drugs. If someone has suddenly moved into your space, refuses to leave, or is using your address to receive packages, you are a victim of cuckooing.

Sudden Wealth or Possessions

Possessing multiple phones (especially cheap "burner" brick phones), carrying large amounts of cash, or suddenly wearing expensive designer clothing or trainers without an obvious source of income.

Behavioral Changes

Becoming suddenly anxious, secretive, or hyper-vigilant. Having unexplained physical injuries, missing college regularly, or traveling to distant, random towns (like taking trains to remote coastal villages) for short periods.

The "National Referral Mechanism"

The biggest tool gangs use to control you is fear. They will tell you: "If you go to the police or your college tutors, you will be arrested as a drug dealer." This is a lie.

The UK government has a specific legal framework called the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Under this law, if it is proven that you were groomed, threatened, pressured, or coerced into carrying out criminal acts (like moving drugs or cash), you are legally recognised as a victim of Modern Slavery. This means you have a legal defence against criminal charges, and local authorities must prioritise your physical safety, housing relocation, and mental health support rather than punishing you. At the earliest opportunity, letting the police, a college safeguarding lead or member help you, completely strips the gang of their power over you.

Early Help Tip

The college is a designated Safe Zone. Our staff are highly trained to spot signs of exploitation and criminal grooming and support you if you feel trapped, threatened, or are worried that a gang knows where you study, the college will act as your physical shield.

The Student Support Team: All you need to say is "I need help". If you are being exploited, you will not be judged. The primary goal is your physical safety. The team can work discreetly with you and with specialised services. Visit Student Support at the earliest opportunity at Ipswich, Suffolk Rural, Leiston, or Halesworth and state that you need a Safeguarding Lead immediately, or email support@suffolk.ac.uk.

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