As part of a national week of action focused on knife crime, North Yorkshire Police executed a number of warrants, made arrests, and seized blocks of suspected Class A drugs.
Between 23 – 29 June, officers took part in County Lines Intensification Week, targeting the disruption and dismantling of drug supply lines in areas including Selby and Scarborough.
‘County Lines’ refers to a form of drug dealing where organised crime gangs (OCGs) use vulnerable people to move drugs from larger cities into smaller communities. Serious violence is often linked to this type of criminality, including the use of knives.
Throughout the week, officers carried out educational sessions in numerous schools, encouraging young people to think about the consequences of taking drugs and carrying weapons.
Focussing on ways to safeguard vulnerable people from exploitation was also a key part of the week.
Officers made 36 welfare checks at addresses where individuals were suspected to be victims of ‘cuckooing’. This is a practice where offenders take over a person’s home and use the property to facilitate exploitation, such as drug dealing.
On the frontline, operational teams took robust action against individuals who were believed to be involved in the supply of drugs within North Yorkshire. Various warrants were executed in Scarborough, Selby, Richmond and Harrogate.
In total, officers executed six warrants, made five arrests, visited 36 properties for safeguarding and seized blocks of what is suspected to be class A drugs.
Detective Superintendent Fionna McEwan from North Yorkshire Police said:
“Even though North Yorkshire remains one of the safest places in the country we still have gangs that are associated with drugs supply that target young and vulnerable people who live here.
“Our work during this latest intensification week mirrors what we do week in week out. I want to thank the fantastic Partners we work with every day who help build intelligence, educate young people, protect those people who are being exploited, and target the offenders running these lines. It is the strength of the partnership that makes the difference.”
“To help us, we need the public to remain on our side by continuing to report suspicious activity to us. If you see anything suspicious, please get in touch with us, the information maybe the missing piece of the jigsaw that helps us to further protect our communities”.
Support Services
If you are a young person who is worried about being involved in county lines, or knows someone who is, you can speak to an adult and let them know how you feel.
You can also contact www.fearless.org who allow you to pass on information about crime anonymously.
You can also contact Childline on 0800 1111 – they are a private and confidential service where you can talk to counsellors about anything that is worrying you.
Get help for drug addiction
- North Yorkshire Rise – Young people’s specialist drug and alcohol service – freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2)
- North Yorkshire Horizons – adult specialist drug and alcohol service – freephone 08000 14 14 80 – click here for the website
- York Drug and Alcohol Service – specialist support for adults and young people – 01904 464 680 – click here for the website
- For details on support systems in York, including York in Recovery, click here.
- DRUGFAM – Support for people affected by other people’s drug or alcohol misuse – 0300 888 3853 – click here for the website