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County lines is a growing issue in the UK affecting many vulnerable young people. It is another form of modern slavery where criminal gangs organise the storage, sale and distribution of drugs from metropolitan cities to rural towns. As police operations have become more successful in uncovering the crime, so the manner of exploitation grows more sophisticated.

After identifying a market for their drugs, gangs will groom and recruit young people and will target any gender or ethnicity, using social media to make contact. Mobile phones are the key tool used in the chain usually provided by the gang to the young person to keep direct contact and control of them.

This subject follows on from our previous productions exploring modern slavery in other areas. Our new production CODE digs deeper into the issue. Read our research below.

Recent Data

  • 2,063 county lines were closed between July 2024 and March 2025 (1,723 Type 1 closures through arrest/charge, 340 Type 2 closures via line deactivation). 
  • 5,316 individuals arrested as part of County Lines Programme activity during the same period.
  • 1,420 line holders charged through County Lines taskforce and surge fund efforts.
  • 2,940 individuals were referred to safeguarding partners, including children and vulnerable adults.
  • An estimated 14,500 children were identified as at risk or involved in child criminal exploitation in 2023/24.
  • In 2023, 2,888 children (~22% of those involved in county lines) were formally recorded as participants, mostly aged 15–17 and acting as runners.
  • 46,000 children in England are believed to be involved in gangs; 4,000 in London alone are being criminally exploited.
  • Individual county lines can generate over £800,000 in profit per year, making it one of the most lucrative drug trafficking models.
  • The UK spends around £20 billion annually responding to drug misuse — roughly £350 per person.
  • County lines are strongly linked to knife crime and violence against women and girls.
  • In the year ending March 2023, first-time entrants to the youth justice system aged 10–17 rose by 1%, the first increase in over a decade.

 

Sources:

Indicators of Exploitation

  • Regularly missing from school or home or being found out of their home area
  • Sudden and unexplained possession of money, clothes or mobile phones
  • Large numbers of texts and calls being received
  • Older or controlling adults in their friendship group or gang association
  • Leaving home or care setting without any explanation
  • Possible self-harm or unexplained injuries
  • Significant worsening of schools results
  • Changes to mood and emotional health

 

What should you do if you are worried about a young person and fear they may be involved with a County Lines gang?

Helplines and Information

Below are links to online help and phone lines you can contact with questions and concerns:

Learn how to spot the signs with the Eyes Open campaign

Speak anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Calls to Childline are private and confidential 0800 1111

Catch22 have worked with children and young people to get them out of harmful situations

St Giles Trust work with partners to help families affected by County Lines and gangs

If you need help or are worried about someone or something you’ve seen, call the free, 24-hour Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700

Find out about CODE Read our Modern Slavery Research