Dismantling county lines

This paper will explore recent developments within the UK drug market: that is the commuting of gang members from major cities to small rural urban areas for the purpose of enhancing their profit from drug distribution. Such practice has come to be known as working ‘County Lines’. Yet, this practice has seen an increase in the exploitation of young people and vulnerable drug users, a rise in violent crime across the country, and the increased organisation of criminal groups. Findings are drawn from qualitative research with practitioners and young people involved in street gangs, Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), and illicit drug supply in Merseyside and Glasgow, and the implications these have on the rest of the UK.