Good results for Northamptonshire during County Lines Intensification Week

Officers from Northamptonshire Police arrested 28 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 to sell illegal drugs.

Officers from across Northamptonshire Police and British Transport Police (BTP) came together to intensify 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 partners in our two Community Safety Partnerships to raise awareness of county lines and exploitation at a variety of community engagement events. Education visits to schools, public services and high-footfall areas were also carried out across the county. 

Police Sergeant Scott Garbett, from Operation Revive, said: “County lines gangs often use the rail network to exploit children and vulnerable people into trafficking drugs across the country. We successfully collaborated with BTP this week to execute several warrants, conduct proactive patrols at the train stations and carry out vulnerability checks. I would like to thank BTP for their support.”

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.

“County lines 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.

“The achievements made during county lines intensification week shine a spotlight on the work that officers are doing to deliver on Northamptonshire Police’s commitment to tackle county lines and to ensure residents are safe and feel safe in their communities.

“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 19 people, including 13 children
• Arrested 28 people
• Seized 10k worth of crack cocaine
• Seized 2k of heroin
• Seized 5k of cocaine
• Seized cannabis
• Seized seven knives, two machetes, one baseball bat, and one firearm
• Seized £2,160 cash.  

Operation Revive is the Force’s hard-hitting enforcement campaign, led by the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, which focuses on bringing the offenders of serious violence associated with Class A drug dealing and gangs to justice. 

If you have concerns about drug dealing, or someone becoming drawn into gang culture, please report it to us on 101, online at www.northants.police.uk/ro or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.