National team marks six years of ‘significant successes’ disrupting County Lines

Set up six years ago, the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), part of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is funded by the Home Office with the aim of coordinating national law enforcement activity across England and Wales, increasing intelligence on the County Lines threat, and informing national policy development and best practice.

Launched in 2018, the NCLCC has developed the national intelligence picture for County Lines and helped police forces to report and identify the threat of County Lines within their own policing areas and further afield. This work continues and supports the new Safer Streets mission.

With the scale and nature of this cross-border crime, NCLCC acts as the central body for County Lines and coordinates the national law enforcement response and best practice.

Every policing region in England and Wales has a dedicated NCLCC coordinator and analytical resource to measure this threat and access to the Continuous Improvement Team to support with their force response to County Lines. In addition, there is a programme funded coordinator in Scotland, recognising the lines from England that impact this part of the UK.

Commander Paul Brogden, NPCC lead for County Lines, said: “Tackling County Lines drug dealing remains a strategic priority for policing across England and Wales.

“Six years in, the NCLCC has coordinated the national law enforcement response to County Lines, and allowed for best practice, experience, and knowledge to be shared across the country. This has led to significant successes – including more than 5,600 drug lines closed, 8,000 people charged, hundreds of weapons recovered, and large quantities of drugs seized.

“Crime prevention sits at the heart of our approach and forces have referred more than 8,000 young and vulnerable people to safeguarding services.

“Through gathering intelligence, we now understand the nature, scale, and threat of County Lines better, which has helped forces work together, across borders, to tackle this issue.

“But we know there is much more still to do. The County Lines Policing Strategy sets out the national plan for next three years and builds on the successes we have already seen, while ensuring that forces adopt a prevention-first approach to break the cycle of serious organised crime.”

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our County Lines task forces, regional coordinators, analysts, NCLCC central teams and the staff from all police forces across England and Wales, including our key partners, for their ongoing hard work, dedication, and exceptional results.

“County Lines drug dealing has a devastating effect on communities, so we are committed to put an end to this business model and the criminal offending of those involved in exploitation and violence often associated with it.”

The NCLCC has coordinated 13 County Lines Intensification Weeks since 2018. The Intensification Weeks support police forces across the country close drugs lines, arrest criminals and protect children and vulnerable adults from exploitation. To date, 5,627 lines have been closed, more than 16,500 people arrested and 8,800 individuals safeguarded.

It has also increased the understanding, intelligence picture and law enforcement response on the threat of County Lines, including annual strategic assessments.

Other successes include delivering interactive County Lines training and learning to more than 3,200 police officers and 870 statutory partners since 2020.

The training, using Hydra technology, places delegates at the centre of a simulated County Lines investigation and explores the complex nature of an investigation, from the characteristics of the County Lines business model to the way vulnerable people are groomed and exploited.

The NPCC says the training has provided a “greater understanding of criminal exploitation and the importance of a multi-agency response”.

In 2022, the NCLCC partnered with the Ivison Trust (formerly PACE) and Barnardo’s to develop a parent and carers webinar. Attended by more than 3,400 people, the webinars help parents and carers understand what County Lines is and the signs their child might be being exploited.

One attendee commented: “This is one of the most powerful sessions I have ever attended as a professional and parent. I can’t tell you how powerful this is, and I hope more parents can hear this.”

A NCLCC Power app, a central resource for County Lines knowledge and guidance, was launched in September 2023. The app includes information around safeguarding, use of ANPR, modern slavery, custody procedures, engaging with partners and more.

The first County Lines Policing Strategy (2024-2027) was published to provide a framework for forces to respond to all aspects of this crime type. The plan sets out what the NCLCC will do next and how it will continue to work with forces to disrupt County Lines.

Lindsay Dalton, chief executive officer of Ivison Trust said: “Congratulations to the NCLCC on six years of unwavering commitment to tackling child exploitation and safeguarding vulnerable children across the country.

“It’s been a privilege to have partnered with the NCLCC since 2022, working collaboratively to deliver essential early intervention support to families affected by child exploitation. This vital work not only helps to empower families but also plays a crucial role in strengthening the safeguarding framework that protects our children from the dangers of exploitation.

“The impact of the centre’s work cannot be overstated. By providing resources, building partnerships, and leading initiatives that raise awareness, the NCLCC is making a significant difference in young people’s and their families’ lives. We look forward to continuing our partnership and enhancing our efforts to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up safe and protected from exploitation.”