MP sees 14 arrested and over £7,000 worth of Class A drugs seized in crackdown on organised gangs exploiting children and vulnerable adults

Last week, Greater Manchester Police joined forces up and down the country as part of National Week of Action to help tackle County Lines - when organised crime gangs exploit children and vulnerable people, forcing them to move or store drugs, drugs money and weapons through cohesion, control and intimidation.

The criminal gangs will use a dedicated phone line to organise the movement and sale of the drugs, which can be in one area, or across different parts of the UK.

In the week alone, teams from GMP executed 15 warrants, made 14 arrests and seized over £7,000 worth of Class A Drugs, and 3.5kg Class B Drugs.

In addition to targeting those behind these crimes, three victims were identified, and 26 safeguarding referrals were submitted for those at risk of being exploited, aged between two and 46.

Detective Inspector Julie Adams, from GMP's Public Protection Serious Crime Division, said: "The results from this week of action speak volumes, and highlight our commitment to tackling organised crime, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.

"Officers have worked hard to develop intelligence prior to this week, and it is great to see the purse activity which has taken place to target those responsible for exploiting children and vulnerable adults here in Greater Manchester, and beyond.

"As well as the proactive policing in terms of warrants, arrests and the seizure of drugs, cash and firearms, which I have no doubt will prove highly disruptive to the organised criminal gangs, we have worked with partners to help raise awareness of Child Criminal Exploitation, working with schools and businesses across Greater Manchester.

"As a parent myself, if this encourages children and adults alike to think twice about someone's behaviour, whether this is their friend, son, sister, then we have achieved what we set out to do.

"To follow the week of action, we are also holding a question and answer session with the public on Thursday, June 3, between 6-8pm on our the main GMP Facebook page.

"The Q&A will offer a safe space to talk about Child Criminal Exploitation, with the opportunity for anyone to ask questions, and access help and support.

"Details will be posted on our Facebook page in the coming days, and questions can be submitted in advance, and entirely anonymously, but I really would encourage anyone with questions or concerns to get in touch, either through the Q&A or by making a report to the police, or Crimestoppers. 

"Victims of exploitation often aren't what meets the eye, so I would encourage everyone to know the signs to look out for, and make a report if you have any suspicions.

"You really could be a lifeline for a victim, and help people realise there is a way out and support is very much available.

"Lastly, I would like to add that I hope this sends a clear message to gangs operating across any district in Greater Manchester, and also those who are sending children and young people into our districts.

"We work closely with forces across the country and continue to share intelligence with one another.

"Our message is clear; while exploitation of children and vulnerable adults is taking place, we will be coming after you."

Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, added: “Criminal exploitation is an abhorrent offence, and these arrests are an example of how we are committed to clamping down on those who manipulate children and vulnerable adults across Greater Manchester.

“Those subjected to these crimes are reminded that help is out there and to access the available victim support on offer.

"Greater Manchester continues to ensure children do not fall into the hands of these criminal gangs.

"I urge anybody who spots the signs of exploitation to report it immediately.”

You could be the difference for a victim, and we all have a responsibility to protect young and vulnerable members of our communities, so it is important we all know what to look out for.

Signs of criminal exploitation and county lines include:

·         Unexplained gifts and cash

·         Drug paraphernalia

·         More than one phone (often known as a graft phone)

·         Lots of travel tickets such as bus and train tickets

·         New friendship groups

·         Increased missing from home episodes

·         Secretive or withdrawn from family and/or friends

·         Lying- unable to retell a story without confusion or holes in the story

·         Receiving excessive calls or messages from ‘new friends’

·         Getting picked up or dropped off by unknown

If you have any concerns, please visit our website to access the LiveChat or online reporting facility, or by dialling 101.

Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

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