25 arrests in county lines week of action

Officers from Northamptonshire Police arrested 25 people and seized drugs and weapons as part of a national week of action.

Last week was County Lines Intensification Week, which sees police forces from across the UK focus their attention on criminals who move around the country in order to sell illegal drugs.

Members of the Force’s Serious and Organised Crime Team joined together with colleagues from other teams including those in Neighbourhood Policing and Intelligence to take action against those believed to be involved in county lines activity while also safeguarding those being exploited by gangs.

During the week officers also worked closely with British Transport Police and partners in our two Community Safety Partnerships to engage with members of the public at Wellingborough and Kettering train stations as well as the Government Agencies Intelligence Network (GAIN) to speak to local businesses.

Detective Inspector Carrie Powers, from the Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “County lines drug dealing is a form of serious and organised crime and is taking place in Northamptonshire. Gangs target vulnerable people and make lives difficult by dealing drugs and using violence to intimidate and coerce people into dealing on their behalf or housing them.

“During the course of our activity we arrested 25 people and seized more than £25,000 worth of Class A drugs as well as weapons including knives, BB guns and other firearms.

“Running these lines is big business for those at the top of what is essentially a pyramid scheme that exploits children, people with drug and alcohol dependencies and other vulnerabilities. They’re involved with dealing a variety of drugs including cocaine and cannabis and have no regard for those affected by their activity.

“We will continue to pursue those involved in this type of crime and I urge anyone with information about suspicious activity to please report it to us or Crimestoppers anonymously. Your piece of information could be the final piece of the jigsaw we need to take action against offenders.”

 

During the week, Northamptonshire Police:

• Safeguarded 16 people, including 14 children
• Arrested 25 people
• Seized 15k worth of crack cocaine
• Seized 10k of heroin
• Seized 811 deals of cocaine
• Seized cannabis
• Seized one baton, five knives, two BB guns and two x firearms
• Seized £30,662 cash and designer clothing

 

You can report concerns about drug dealing to us by:

• Calling 999 if someone is in danger or a crime is taking place
• Call 101 for non-emergencies
• Visiting our website northants.police.uk
• Speaking to a police officer or PCSO
• Alternatively, you can share information anonymously with independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or reporting online

 

To find out more about what your local police officers are up to, please sign up to Neighbourhood Alert.