Current timestamp: 26/05/2022 00:55:32
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

Thanks for trying the 'beta' version of our new website. It's a work in progress, we'll be adding new services over the next few weeks, so please take a look and tell us what you think.

Get started

staffordshire-police-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Officers engage with communities over county lines

Main article content

Navigation

News

09:49 14/03/2022

Officers have been speaking with Stoke South communities in engagement sessions aimed at improving detection and prevention around so-called county lines drugs activity.

County lines is a term used to describe the activity of drug supply that goes beyond County borders and usually involves a “line” – namely a mobile which is used to order and supply drugs.

This mobile phone is often used by individuals who are exploited by gangs who threaten the person with violence.

These crime groups target vulnerable individuals who are more likely to avoid police detection – often pressured into moving large sums of cash and transporting drugs across the country.

Part of this prevention activity has seen officers from Stoke South neighbourhood policing team (NPT) issuing detection and prevention advice in key areas across the region.

Police visited sites in Hartshill and Basford on Wednesday (9 March) and held detection sessions aimed at identifying potential victims.

Officers spoke directly to hundreds of secondary school pupils and disclosed various ways in which they can keep safe from organised crime groups intent on exploiting them. 

Previous events saw officers work with adult social care workers to identify referral pathways as well as highlight those at risk of cuckooing - namely where gangs seek to occupy the home of a vulnerable person and use it as a base of operations.

Victims of cuckooing are often subject to physical, mental, domestic and sexual abuse – making it increasingly difficult to report to police.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Marc Proctor, of Stoke South NPT, said: “There has been some excellent feedback around the objectives of this collective approach.

“We have been able to share awareness surrounding county lines, cuckooing and referral pathways with key organisations and individuals who are most likely to encounter this sort of criminality.

“These events are a key method which the NPT uses to allow partners and the public to take this knowledge forward and disrupt county lines activity across the county.  

Local PCSOs also visited Blurton in the mobile police vehicle on Wednesday (9 March), where they shared prevention advice and listened to the concerns of the local community.

“It was really important to consolidate this engagement across a key area in the region” said Sergeant Proctor.

“Not only does it provide an opportunity for the public to liaise with officers directly, it also reinforces visibility and gives the community a chance to share their concerns and queries.

“We are committed to our relationship with the public and continue to maximise these engagement sessions across a variety of topics – whether this is issuing crime prevention advice or actioning the concerns of our communities.”

To find out more about county lines, visit: County lines | Staffordshire Police   

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Staffordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.