# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Week 9 - County Lines and Radicalisation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover everything you need to know about the application process, including research, the application itself, and your next steps.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It’s no dream. Sleep well without sleeping pills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Disclaimer

The details on this website were correct at the time of being published. However, changes to provision may occur. We issue this information as a general guide and reserve the right to modify or alter without prior notice.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The details on this website were correct at the time of being published. However, changes to provision may occur. We issue this information as a general guide and reserve the right to modify or alter without prior notice.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A simple example

Imagine there's a small forest behind your house. You can take wood from the forest to build a fire, repair the roof or add extra rooms if you need more space.

If you get greedy and take wood more quickly than the trees can grow back, the forest will get smaller and eventually disappear. But if you manage the forest sustainably, only taking as much as can naturally regrow, you'll enjoy a steady supply of wood forever.

Of course, in the real world, sustainability isn't usually this simple. The most important resources are part of huge, complex systems that are linked in unexpected ways. But the basic idea of staying in balance with nature as it regenerates itself still holds true.

Sustainability as a marketing term

Most people agree that sustainability is a good idea. And because it sounds so positive, companies and governments like to describe things they do as sustainable - even when they're not. It's true that some things are more sustainable than others, but even the most efficient oil-fueled car will eventually run out of atmosphere to pollute.

When you see a product or policy being described as sustainable, ask yourself: could they keep doing this forever without causing any harm? If the answer is no, it's probably not sustainable.

A sustainable system

The truth is, it's actually quite difficult for something to be truly sustainable, especially if it's happening on a large scale. For a long time, societies like ours in the UK have been built around unsustainable ways of doing things. It's not just that everyone's allowed to take more than their fair share - things are often set up so it's impossible not to.

Moving to a sustainable system is the greatest challenge of this century. And we'll only succeed by moving together, with the most powerful taking the lead. That's why Greenpeace mainly targets governments and big companies with its campaigns. By getting them to stop unsustainable practices and write better rules, we can build a green, peaceful world that'll last long into the future.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is sustainability? A simple guide to a vital idea

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Most environmental problems come from using natural resources unsustainably. But what does sustainability really mean? Let's find out.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The importance of discipline | Ted Mullin | TEDxUofNorthDakota

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Microsoft Copilot is your companion to inform, entertain and inspire. Get advice, feedback and straightforward answers. Try Copilot now.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ChatGPT helps you get answers, find inspiration, and be more productive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
‎Gemini - chat to supercharge your ideas

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bard is now Gemini. Get help with writing, planning, learning, and more from Google AI.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Free Careers Programme Tool

Free careers programme, linked to the Gatsby Benchmarks, and access to the online editor tool. Use our free template, create your own using the tool, or choose to use a programme from one of our partners.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Grofar - Careers Service, Work Placement, and Work Experience Software

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Grofar produce award winning Careers, Work Placement and Work Experience software for schools, colleges, & learning providers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out the difference between radicalisation and extremism

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Introduction

What is county lines?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse.

Children and young people may be criminally exploited in multiple ways. Other forms of criminal exploitation include child sexual exploitation, trafficking, gang and knife crime.

County lines gangs are highly organised criminal networks that use sophisticated, frequently evolving techniques to groom young people and evade capture by the police.

Perpetrators use children and young people to maximise profits and distance themselves from the criminal act of physically dealing drugs (National Crime agency, 2019). Young people do the majority of the work and take the most risk.

Dedicated mobile phone lines or "deal lines" are used to help facilitate county lines drug deals. Phones are usually cheap, disposable and old fashioned, because they are changed frequently to avoid detection by the police.

Gangs use the phones to receive orders and contact young people to instruct them where to deliver drugs. This may be to a local dealer or drug user, or a dealer or drug user in another county.

Phrases that young people may use to refer to county lines include:

'running a line',

'going OT/out there'

'going country'

'going cunch'.

These all refer to going out of town to deliver drugs or money (Thurrock Council, 2020).

We've put together some information to help anyone who works or volunteers with children and young people to recognise the signs that a child might be being exploited by a county lines gang and understand what action to take to help keep children safe.

This includes:

the risks associated with county lines

recognising and responding to concerns about county lines

how professionals can work to prevent county lines

a summary of the relevant legislation and guidance.

Risks

County lines is a cross-cutting issue that often overlaps with other forms of abuse and criminal exploitation. It can lead to serious physical and emotional harm to young people (Home Office, 2020a).

Criminalisation

If adults who work with children don't understand that county lines is a form of abuse, they may see children involved in county lines activity as criminals rather than as victims of criminal exploitation (Children's Society, 2019).

This can lead to children not getting the safeguarding support and protection they need.

Drugs

Perpetrators may use drugs and alcohol to entice young people into the gang lifestyle.

In some cases gangs trick young people into incurring drug debts that they then have to pay off through county lines activity. This is often referred to as 'debt bondage'.

Physical violence

There is a strong link between county lines activity and:

serious violence such as knife and gun crime

the use of substances such as acid as a weapon

homicide

(Home Office, 2018).

Conflict between rival gangs that are in dispute over who controls an area can lead to serious injury or death for young people who get caught in the wrong place.

The fear of serious physical violence as revenge for disrespecting, 'snitching' or 'grassing' is one of the things that prevents young people from leaving gangs or seeking help from the police and other agencies.

Sexual abuse and exploitation

As well as being used to transport drugs, county lines gangs may sexually abuse and exploit children of any gender (National Crime Agency, 2019).

This can happen through:

young people being forced into sexual activity with gang members or for the gang's financial gain

vulnerable children being made to work off drug debts through sexual exploitation as 'payment' (this might happen after the child has been coerced into becoming dependent on drugs by the gang)

children being groomed into what they believe is a romantic relationship with a gang member which then leads to exploitation

(National Crime Agency, 2019).

Some children are forced to transport drugs in ways that are invasive and harmful to their bodies. Young people may be forced to swallow bags of drugs to transport them, which could potentially be life threatening.

The practice of 'plugging' is also common, whereby drugs are inserted into a child's rectum or vagina. This is a form of sexual abuse and in some cases it can cause a child's death (Ofsted et al, 2018).

Trafficking and missing children

Young people can be trafficked to locations far away from where they live for long periods of time by a county lines gang. They may end up staying in unsuitable accommodation in an area that is unknown to them. This might include short term holiday lets or budget hotels.

Cuckooing

Cuckooing happens when a county lines gang takes over the home of a vulnerable adult by coercion or force, and use it as a base to deal drugs from. The vulnerable adult may have issues with substance misuse or mental health problems, be elderly or disabled or be in debt to the gang. These factors can make it easier for the gang to exploit and control them.

Children can be forced or coerced to stay at cuckooed addresses for long periods of time to deal drugs.

A cuckooed address is sometimes referred to as a 'bando' or a 'spot' by county lines gangs (Thurrock Council, 2020).

Financial exploitation and abuse

Gangs are known to launder money from drug sales through children's bank accounts, either by using an existing account or forcing or persuading the child to open a new one (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about protecting children from trafficking and modern slavery

Recognising

Recognising

Grooming

The grooming process involves the gang:

seeking out a child to exploit

observing the child for vulnerabilities

finding out what the child's needs and wants are

manipulating the child into believing that being in the gang can fulfil these needs.

Once they have identified a child, the gang will make some form of contact and the grooming process will begin. This could be in person or via mobile phone. Social media profiles may also be used to glamourise gang life and entice young people.

Some children are groomed through family members, for instance if they have a sibling or relative who is already involved with a county lines gang.

County lines gangs offer money and status to attract young people. Children may also be attracted to joining a gang by the prospect of belonging to a 'family' that will protect them if their own family feels unstable or unsafe.

The following have been identified as key places where county lines gangs target and approach vulnerable young people:

schools and further and higher educational institutions

special educational needs schools

places for alternative provision outside of mainstream education

foster homes

homeless shelters.

Once a child is part of a county lines gang their loyalty and commitment will be tested. The gang will begin to trap the child by making them feel powerless to leave. This might include threats of violence if they leave, making the child feel like they are betraying their new 'family', or telling the child they will get in trouble if they seek help because they have committed a criminal offence (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about grooming
Who is vulnerable to county lines exploitation?

Any child could potentially be at risk of criminal exploitation by a county lines gang.

Factors that make a county lines gang more likely to target, groom and exploit a child include:

the child having experienced neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse in the past

social isolation or social difficulties

poverty

homelessness or insecure accommodation status

connections with other people involved in gangs

having a learning disability

having mental health problems

having substance misuse issues

being in care or having a history of being in care

being excluded from mainstream education

(Home Office, 2020a).

Permanent exclusion from mainstream education has been identified as a critical event that can lead to young people becoming vulnerable to criminal exploitation (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

County lines gangs can take advantage of the lack of structure, loss of a sense of belonging and feeling of rejection that exclusion can elicit in a young person.

The average age of young people who are exploited through county lines activity is 15-16 years old, but children as young as 12 have also been reported to have been involved (Home Office, 2020a).

Signs that a young person may be involved in criminal exploitation

The following signs may indicate that a child is being exploited by a county lines gang:

frequently going missing from school, home or care

travelling to locations, or being found in areas they have no obvious connections with, including seaside or market towns

unwillingness to explain their whereabouts

acquiring money, clothes, accessories or mobile phones which they seem unable to account for

receiving excessive texts or phone calls at all hours of the day

having multiple mobile phone handsets or sim cards

withdrawing or having sudden changes in personality, behaviour or the language they use

having relationships with controlling or older individuals and groups

unexplained injuries

carrying weapons

significant decline in school results or performance

being isolated from peers or social networks

associating with or being interested in gang culture

self-harming or having significant changes in mental health

(Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Responding

Responding to concerns about county lines exploitation

If you're worried that a child or young person might be or is at risk of being exploited by a county lines gang, you must share your concerns.

Reporting

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact the local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the relevant local authority. The local authority the child comes from is responsible for the child's welfare. But it is also good practice to contact the local authority in the area the child is found, as they may need to be a part of the multi-agency response and there may be other children or vulnerable adults at risk.

Contact the police.

National referral mechanism (NRM)

As part of county lines, young people are trafficked to different locations.

You should refer children who have been trafficked to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Evidence of a referral can be used in a young person's defence in criminal and legal proceedings (Youth Justice Legal Centre, 2018).
> Find out more about what action to take if a child has been exploited through trafficking and modern slavery
Multi-agency working

A multi-agency response is needed to tackle county lines and protect any children involved from further exploitation. This should include participation from local authority children's social care, the local authority community safety team, schools, police and youth offending teams.

The local authority the child comes from (if known) is responsible for the child's welfare (Ministry of Justice, 2019). They may need to liaise with child protection agencies in the area the child was found, in order to keep the child safe.

Collaborative working and information sharing is essential in protecting the welfare of the child.

Across the UK, Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) can act as sources of advice for children without a figure of parental responsibility in the UK who have been victims of trafficking and modern slavery (Home Office, 2020b).

ICTG regional practice co-ordinators take on a more strategic role supporting children who do have a figure of parental responsibility, working with professionals to encourage them to take a co-ordinated and multi-agency approach to child trafficking, modern slavery and county lines (Home Office, 2020b).
> Find out more about multi-agency working in child protection and safeguarding
Supporting the young person who has been exploited

Adults who work or volunteer with children and young people are in a good position to build trusting relationships with them. This will help young people feel able to discuss issues that are affecting their lives and speak out if they need support about any issue, including county lines (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Those who work with children need to be clear that county lines is not a lifestyle choice and that the young person is not to blame for being exploited by a gang.

Young people who are involved with a county lines gang may push back when help is offered. They may not see themselves as being exploited or they may be scared of recriminations if they 'snitch' or' grass' on gang leaders.

Gangs convince young people that there is no way out for them, in order to trap and control them. This means it's important for adults to reassure young people that there is a way out of gang life and that help is available when they are ready to leave.

Young people may finally reach out for help in the event of a major incident or emergency. This might include a serious injury or the threat of serious injury to themselves or someone they know, or if someone they know was killed. If professionals do not act quickly and effectively to intervene at this point, the child may be 're-groomed' or pressured back into the gang (Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020).

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice about gangs or anything else that's worrying them, you can always direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online.

Childline provides information and advice for young people affected by gang activity, drugs or any other form of abuse.

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Training

To help identify and support children who have experienced county lines, professionals need training which covers:

signs and indicators of county lines exploitation

the legislative framework around criminal exploitation

the NRM referral process

understanding the trauma experienced by young people

(Children's Society, 2019).

Prevention

Prevention

Schools and education

Schools and colleges can help raise awareness of county lines. This can be done through whole-school assemblies, class discussions or smaller group work.

As well as discussing what county lines is and how children might be targeted by gangs, schools should ensure children know who they can talk to if they have any concerns.

Schools are also well-placed to identify any children who may be at risk of county lines and form part of the multi-agency response.
> Find out more about having difficult conversations with children

> Find out more about promoting healthy relationships
Exclusion from school

If a child is at risk of being excluded from education, schools should always consider what immediate wrap around support can be put in place to protect them from county lines.

This should include exploring what support is available from children's social care, and voluntary and community organisations.

having their other children 'taken away' from them

their child being excluded from school

criminalising their child

recriminations from the county lines gang

Working with parents and carers

Engaging with parents and carers can help protect children and young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation. Parents and carers need support to manage any risk to their child.

It's important for services working with children at risk of county lines to understand what barriers might be in place for parents and carers. These might include fears around:

(Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020; Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Legislation and guidance

Legislation and guidance

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse including county lines and other criminal exploitation.

County lines may involve child trafficking and modern slavery.
> Find out more about the legislation relating to child trafficking and modern slavery across the UK
Guidance

The Home Office has provided key guidance for all four UK nations on how to recognise and respond to concerns about county lines (Home Office, 2020a).

In England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has provided guidance for frontline practitioners on referral pathways for responding to and safeguarding children involved in county lines (Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Public Health England (PHE) has published guidance on county lines exploitation to help health professionals prevent child exploitation and protect vulnerable children that have been manipulated and coerced into crime (PHE, 2021).

Practice principles, commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), have been published by The Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme. The principles are for all professionals working with children around effective partnership working when responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm (TCE Support Programme, 2023).

Further reading

For further reading about county lines, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "county lines" or "criminal exploitation of children".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

References

References

Canterbury Community Safety Partnership (2020) Protect your child: county lines and drug and alcohol abuse. (YouTube video). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (2020) It was hard to escape: safeguarding children at risk from criminal exploitation (PDF). [London]: Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

Children's Society (2019) Counting lives report: responding to children who are criminally exploited (PDF). London: Children's Society.

Home Office (2020a) Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2020b) 2020 UK annual report on modern slavery. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2018) County lines: criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Ministry of Justice (2019) County lines exploitation: practice guidance for youth offending teams and frontline practitioners. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

National Crime Agency (2019) County lines: drug supply, vulnerability and harm 2018 (PDF). London: National Crime Agency.

Ofsted et al (2018) Protecting children from criminal exploitation, human trafficking and modern slavery: an addendum. Manchester: Ofsted.

Public Health England (2021) County Lines exploitation: applying All Our Health. [Accessed 19/03/2021].

Thurrock Council (2020) Gangs and gang crime: county lines (drug trafficking). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Youth Justice Legal Centre (2018) Child criminal exploitation: county lines gangs, child trafficking and modern slavery defences for children. London: Youth Justice Legal Centre.

Introduction

What is county lines?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse.

Children and young people may be criminally exploited in multiple ways. Other forms of criminal exploitation include child sexual exploitation, trafficking, gang and knife crime.

County lines gangs are highly organised criminal networks that use sophisticated, frequently evolving techniques to groom young people and evade capture by the police.

Perpetrators use children and young people to maximise profits and distance themselves from the criminal act of physically dealing drugs (National Crime agency, 2019). Young people do the majority of the work and take the most risk.

Dedicated mobile phone lines or "deal lines" are used to help facilitate county lines drug deals. Phones are usually cheap, disposable and old fashioned, because they are changed frequently to avoid detection by the police.

Gangs use the phones to receive orders and contact young people to instruct them where to deliver drugs. This may be to a local dealer or drug user, or a dealer or drug user in another county.

Phrases that young people may use to refer to county lines include:

'running a line',

'going OT/out there'

'going country'

'going cunch'.

These all refer to going out of town to deliver drugs or money (Thurrock Council, 2020).

We've put together some information to help anyone who works or volunteers with children and young people to recognise the signs that a child might be being exploited by a county lines gang and understand what action to take to help keep children safe.

This includes:

the risks associated with county lines

recognising and responding to concerns about county lines

how professionals can work to prevent county lines

a summary of the relevant legislation and guidance.

Risks

County lines is a cross-cutting issue that often overlaps with other forms of abuse and criminal exploitation. It can lead to serious physical and emotional harm to young people (Home Office, 2020a).

Criminalisation

If adults who work with children don't understand that county lines is a form of abuse, they may see children involved in county lines activity as criminals rather than as victims of criminal exploitation (Children's Society, 2019).

This can lead to children not getting the safeguarding support and protection they need.

Drugs

Perpetrators may use drugs and alcohol to entice young people into the gang lifestyle.

In some cases gangs trick young people into incurring drug debts that they then have to pay off through county lines activity. This is often referred to as 'debt bondage'.

Physical violence

There is a strong link between county lines activity and:

serious violence such as knife and gun crime

the use of substances such as acid as a weapon

homicide

(Home Office, 2018).

Conflict between rival gangs that are in dispute over who controls an area can lead to serious injury or death for young people who get caught in the wrong place.

The fear of serious physical violence as revenge for disrespecting, 'snitching' or 'grassing' is one of the things that prevents young people from leaving gangs or seeking help from the police and other agencies.

Sexual abuse and exploitation

As well as being used to transport drugs, county lines gangs may sexually abuse and exploit children of any gender (National Crime Agency, 2019).

This can happen through:

young people being forced into sexual activity with gang members or for the gang's financial gain

vulnerable children being made to work off drug debts through sexual exploitation as 'payment' (this might happen after the child has been coerced into becoming dependent on drugs by the gang)

children being groomed into what they believe is a romantic relationship with a gang member which then leads to exploitation

(National Crime Agency, 2019).

Some children are forced to transport drugs in ways that are invasive and harmful to their bodies. Young people may be forced to swallow bags of drugs to transport them, which could potentially be life threatening.

The practice of 'plugging' is also common, whereby drugs are inserted into a child's rectum or vagina. This is a form of sexual abuse and in some cases it can cause a child's death (Ofsted et al, 2018).

Trafficking and missing children

Young people can be trafficked to locations far away from where they live for long periods of time by a county lines gang. They may end up staying in unsuitable accommodation in an area that is unknown to them. This might include short term holiday lets or budget hotels.

Cuckooing

Cuckooing happens when a county lines gang takes over the home of a vulnerable adult by coercion or force, and use it as a base to deal drugs from. The vulnerable adult may have issues with substance misuse or mental health problems, be elderly or disabled or be in debt to the gang. These factors can make it easier for the gang to exploit and control them.

Children can be forced or coerced to stay at cuckooed addresses for long periods of time to deal drugs.

A cuckooed address is sometimes referred to as a 'bando' or a 'spot' by county lines gangs (Thurrock Council, 2020).

Financial exploitation and abuse

Gangs are known to launder money from drug sales through children's bank accounts, either by using an existing account or forcing or persuading the child to open a new one (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about protecting children from trafficking and modern slavery

Recognising

Recognising

Grooming

The grooming process involves the gang:

seeking out a child to exploit

observing the child for vulnerabilities

finding out what the child's needs and wants are

manipulating the child into believing that being in the gang can fulfil these needs.

Once they have identified a child, the gang will make some form of contact and the grooming process will begin. This could be in person or via mobile phone. Social media profiles may also be used to glamourise gang life and entice young people.

Some children are groomed through family members, for instance if they have a sibling or relative who is already involved with a county lines gang.

County lines gangs offer money and status to attract young people. Children may also be attracted to joining a gang by the prospect of belonging to a 'family' that will protect them if their own family feels unstable or unsafe.

The following have been identified as key places where county lines gangs target and approach vulnerable young people:

schools and further and higher educational institutions

special educational needs schools

places for alternative provision outside of mainstream education

foster homes

homeless shelters.

Once a child is part of a county lines gang their loyalty and commitment will be tested. The gang will begin to trap the child by making them feel powerless to leave. This might include threats of violence if they leave, making the child feel like they are betraying their new 'family', or telling the child they will get in trouble if they seek help because they have committed a criminal offence (Children's Society, 2019).
> Find out more about grooming
Who is vulnerable to county lines exploitation?

Any child could potentially be at risk of criminal exploitation by a county lines gang.

Factors that make a county lines gang more likely to target, groom and exploit a child include:

the child having experienced neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse in the past

social isolation or social difficulties

poverty

homelessness or insecure accommodation status

connections with other people involved in gangs

having a learning disability

having mental health problems

having substance misuse issues

being in care or having a history of being in care

being excluded from mainstream education

(Home Office, 2020a).

Permanent exclusion from mainstream education has been identified as a critical event that can lead to young people becoming vulnerable to criminal exploitation (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

County lines gangs can take advantage of the lack of structure, loss of a sense of belonging and feeling of rejection that exclusion can elicit in a young person.

The average age of young people who are exploited through county lines activity is 15-16 years old, but children as young as 12 have also been reported to have been involved (Home Office, 2020a).

Signs that a young person may be involved in criminal exploitation

The following signs may indicate that a child is being exploited by a county lines gang:

frequently going missing from school, home or care

travelling to locations, or being found in areas they have no obvious connections with, including seaside or market towns

unwillingness to explain their whereabouts

acquiring money, clothes, accessories or mobile phones which they seem unable to account for

receiving excessive texts or phone calls at all hours of the day

having multiple mobile phone handsets or sim cards

withdrawing or having sudden changes in personality, behaviour or the language they use

having relationships with controlling or older individuals and groups

unexplained injuries

carrying weapons

significant decline in school results or performance

being isolated from peers or social networks

associating with or being interested in gang culture

self-harming or having significant changes in mental health

(Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Responding

Responding to concerns about county lines exploitation

If you're worried that a child or young person might be or is at risk of being exploited by a county lines gang, you must share your concerns.

Reporting

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact the local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the relevant local authority. The local authority the child comes from is responsible for the child's welfare. But it is also good practice to contact the local authority in the area the child is found, as they may need to be a part of the multi-agency response and there may be other children or vulnerable adults at risk.

Contact the police.

National referral mechanism (NRM)

As part of county lines, young people are trafficked to different locations.

You should refer children who have been trafficked to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Evidence of a referral can be used in a young person's defence in criminal and legal proceedings (Youth Justice Legal Centre, 2018).
> Find out more about what action to take if a child has been exploited through trafficking and modern slavery
Multi-agency working

A multi-agency response is needed to tackle county lines and protect any children involved from further exploitation. This should include participation from local authority children's social care, the local authority community safety team, schools, police and youth offending teams.

The local authority the child comes from (if known) is responsible for the child's welfare (Ministry of Justice, 2019). They may need to liaise with child protection agencies in the area the child was found, in order to keep the child safe.

Collaborative working and information sharing is essential in protecting the welfare of the child.

Across the UK, Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (ICTGs) can act as sources of advice for children without a figure of parental responsibility in the UK who have been victims of trafficking and modern slavery (Home Office, 2020b).

ICTG regional practice co-ordinators take on a more strategic role supporting children who do have a figure of parental responsibility, working with professionals to encourage them to take a co-ordinated and multi-agency approach to child trafficking, modern slavery and county lines (Home Office, 2020b).
> Find out more about multi-agency working in child protection and safeguarding
Supporting the young person who has been exploited

Adults who work or volunteer with children and young people are in a good position to build trusting relationships with them. This will help young people feel able to discuss issues that are affecting their lives and speak out if they need support about any issue, including county lines (Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Those who work with children need to be clear that county lines is not a lifestyle choice and that the young person is not to blame for being exploited by a gang.

Young people who are involved with a county lines gang may push back when help is offered. They may not see themselves as being exploited or they may be scared of recriminations if they 'snitch' or' grass' on gang leaders.

Gangs convince young people that there is no way out for them, in order to trap and control them. This means it's important for adults to reassure young people that there is a way out of gang life and that help is available when they are ready to leave.

Young people may finally reach out for help in the event of a major incident or emergency. This might include a serious injury or the threat of serious injury to themselves or someone they know, or if someone they know was killed. If professionals do not act quickly and effectively to intervene at this point, the child may be 're-groomed' or pressured back into the gang (Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020).

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice about gangs or anything else that's worrying them, you can always direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online.

Childline provides information and advice for young people affected by gang activity, drugs or any other form of abuse.

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Training

To help identify and support children who have experienced county lines, professionals need training which covers:

signs and indicators of county lines exploitation

the legislative framework around criminal exploitation

the NRM referral process

understanding the trauma experienced by young people

(Children's Society, 2019).

Prevention

Prevention

Schools and education

Schools and colleges can help raise awareness of county lines. This can be done through whole-school assemblies, class discussions or smaller group work.

As well as discussing what county lines is and how children might be targeted by gangs, schools should ensure children know who they can talk to if they have any concerns.

Schools are also well-placed to identify any children who may be at risk of county lines and form part of the multi-agency response.
> Find out more about having difficult conversations with children

> Find out more about promoting healthy relationships
Exclusion from school

If a child is at risk of being excluded from education, schools should always consider what immediate wrap around support can be put in place to protect them from county lines.

This should include exploring what support is available from children's social care, and voluntary and community organisations.

having their other children 'taken away' from them

their child being excluded from school

criminalising their child

recriminations from the county lines gang

Working with parents and carers

Engaging with parents and carers can help protect children and young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation. Parents and carers need support to manage any risk to their child.

It's important for services working with children at risk of county lines to understand what barriers might be in place for parents and carers. These might include fears around:

(Canterbury Community Safety Partnership, 2020; Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, 2020).

Legislation and guidance

Legislation and guidance

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse including county lines and other criminal exploitation.

County lines may involve child trafficking and modern slavery.
> Find out more about the legislation relating to child trafficking and modern slavery across the UK
Guidance

The Home Office has provided key guidance for all four UK nations on how to recognise and respond to concerns about county lines (Home Office, 2020a).

In England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has provided guidance for frontline practitioners on referral pathways for responding to and safeguarding children involved in county lines (Ministry of Justice, 2019).

Public Health England (PHE) has published guidance on county lines exploitation to help health professionals prevent child exploitation and protect vulnerable children that have been manipulated and coerced into crime (PHE, 2021).

Practice principles, commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), have been published by The Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme. The principles are for all professionals working with children around effective partnership working when responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm (TCE Support Programme, 2023).

Further reading

For further reading about county lines, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "county lines" or "criminal exploitation of children".

If you need more specific information, please contact our Information Service.

References

References

Canterbury Community Safety Partnership (2020) Protect your child: county lines and drug and alcohol abuse. (YouTube video). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (2020) It was hard to escape: safeguarding children at risk from criminal exploitation (PDF). [London]: Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.

Children's Society (2019) Counting lives report: responding to children who are criminally exploited (PDF). London: Children's Society.

Home Office (2020a) Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2020b) 2020 UK annual report on modern slavery. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Home Office (2018) County lines: criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Ministry of Justice (2019) County lines exploitation: practice guidance for youth offending teams and frontline practitioners. [Accessed 16/03/2021].

National Crime Agency (2019) County lines: drug supply, vulnerability and harm 2018 (PDF). London: National Crime Agency.

Ofsted et al (2018) Protecting children from criminal exploitation, human trafficking and modern slavery: an addendum. Manchester: Ofsted.

Public Health England (2021) County Lines exploitation: applying All Our Health. [Accessed 19/03/2021].

Thurrock Council (2020) Gangs and gang crime: county lines (drug trafficking). [Accessed 16/03/2021].

Youth Justice Legal Centre (2018) Child criminal exploitation: county lines gangs, child trafficking and modern slavery defences for children. London: Youth Justice Legal Centre.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Protecting children from county lines | NSPCC Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Provides information on how adults working or volunteering with children can recognise, respond to and protect children from county lines.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Knife Crime - Know the Facts - Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is Knife Crime? Knife crime, is any crime that involves a sharp or bladed instrument, and can include anything from a kitchen knife or piece of glass to a potato peeler or a knitting needle. Knife crime can range from … Read more…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
I have questions about knife crime
I want to get rid of my knife but am worried about what will happen to me. How do I do this?
You can find amnesty bins in six different police stations across the Leicester and Leicestershire area. These bins allow anybody to get rid of knives without the fear of being punished, unless it is found to have been used for a criminal act.

Amnesty bins can be found at the following stations:

Beaumont Leys Police Station, 2 Beaumont Way, Beaumont Leys LE4 1DS

Braunstone Police Station, Hallam Crescent East, Braunstone Town, Leicester LE3 1FF

Hinckley Road Police Station, 90 Norfolk Street, Leicester LE3 5QP

Keyham Lane Police Station, Colin Grundy Drive, Hamilton LE5 1FY

Mansfield House Police Station, 74 Belgrave Gate, Leicester LE1 3GG

Spinney Hill Police Station, East Park Road, Leicester LE5 5GY

I've asked somebody to carry my knife for me, am I still liable for it?
Yes, you can still get into trouble even if you aren't physically in possession of a knife or weapon. If you ask another person to carry, or hide a knife for you, you could be arrested and face up to four years in prison.
What's the two strike rule?
This is a minimum custodial sentence for young people aged 16 or over who are convicted of a second offence of possessing an offensive weapon or bladed article.
I'm under 18. Can I still be punished under the two strike rule?
Yes. Under the two strike rule, young people aged 16-17 years old will receive a minimum of four months' detention and training order. Young people aged 12-17 years old could receive a detention and training order of up to 24 months.
I'm at school and my teacher wants to search my bag. Are they allowed to do this?
A head teacher or other authorised member of staff of a school in England has the right to search you and your possessions, if they have reasonable grounds to think you may be carrying an offensive weapon.

If you are found guilty of carrying a knife in a public place, or on school premises, you could face up to four years in prison.
I carry a small folding knife, am I breaking the law?
No. You can carry a knife in public if it has a folding blade that is 3 inches (7.62cm) or less in length. But if this, or any other knife, is used to threaten or intimidate it's considered an offensive weapon.

Remember, lock knives are not classed as folding knives and are illegal to carry in public.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn the facts about UK knife crime and how it can impact your life, plus get support on how to stay away and live safely.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Managing your Digital Footprint To Stay Safe Online

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Crossing the Line PSHE Toolkit: Sexting - Just Send It

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Crossing the Line PSHE Toolkit: Cyberbullying - Gone too far

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Eggshells - A Short Film About Domestic Abuse (coercive control, gaslighting, domestic violence)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find information and support for your mental health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental Health Foundation | Good mental health for all

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Explore information to help you understand mental health and get advice on how you look after your own mental health or support someone you know with theirs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bullied To De*th! Tyler Clementi Case | True Crime Documentary | New Crime Documentary New York

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to main content

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies

It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of:

age

gender reassignment

being married or in a civil partnership

being pregnant or on maternity leave

disability

race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin

religion or belief

sex

sexual orientation

These are called 'protected characteristics'.

You're protected from discrimination:

at work

in education

as a consumer

when using public services

when buying or renting property

as a member or guest of a private club or association

You're legally protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010.

You're also protected from discrimination if:

you're associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend

you've complained about discrimination or supported someone else's claim

Action against discrimination

You can do something voluntarily to help people with a protected characteristic. This is called 'positive action'.

Taking positive action is legal if people with a protected characteristic:

are at a disadvantage

have particular needs

are under-represented in an activity or type of work

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of their sex, religion, disability or certain other personal characteristics ('protected characteristics')

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
You MUST learn time management as a student.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Digital footprint: what is it and why should you care?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An explanation video of what a digital footprint is and how it is created. A PSHE classroom resource on online safety and wellbeing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Easily create surveys and polls to collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to main content

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies

Use your student finance account to:

view statements and letters from Student Finance England (SFE)

track an existing application

check when your payments are due

update some of your personal or application details

reset your password or find your customer reference number

apply for finance as a new or continuing student

You can also use this service if you're supporting a student finance application and SFE has asked for details of your household income.

on the Student Finance England website

Before you start

You'll be given a customer reference number ( CRN) and asked to create a password and secret answer when you first set up your account.

You'll get a letter telling you how to sign in to your account, if you do not apply online.

You need your CRN or email and your password each time you sign in.

Recover your sign in details online.

Other ways to apply

If you cannot apply online, use the form finder to get the forms you need.

You can call Student Finance England if you want to apply online but you cannot use a computer without help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Your student finance online account - check payment dates, track an application, change details, reset password, find customer reference numbers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sexual health clinics are free and available to everyone, no matter your age, gender, ethnicity or sexuality.

They may be called genitourinary medicine (GUM), or sexual and reproductive health clinics, and they offer sexual health services which include:

You can also get help and advice from:

some GP surgeries

some pharmacies, where you can speak to a member of staff in private

some young people's services (call the national sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123 for more information)

What happens at a sexual health clinic

Visiting a sexual health clinic is confidential. The staff will explain everything, including any tests you may need.

You can ask for a female or male nurse or doctor. You can also have a friend, family member or other member of staff in the room with you during tests or examinations.

Staff at a sexual health clinic will not tell anyone what you discuss without your permission. This includes your GP. Find out more about visiting a sexual health clinic.

If staff think you or someone else is at risk of harm, they may need to tell other healthcare services. But they will not do this without talking to you first.
Find a sexual health clinic