County lines and cuckooing
County Lines is a national issue involving the use of mobile phone lines to extend a drug dealing business into new locations outside a dealer's home area.
County Lines is a national issue involving the use of mobile phone lines to extend a drug dealing business into new locations outside a dealer's home area. County lines often involve the exploitation of vulnerable people. This can include children and adults who need safeguarding.
Signs that a young person may be involved in county lines
- Spending time with a new group of friends who may be older or from out of the area
- Changing their appearance and clothing
- Becoming withdrawn from family and friends
- Going missing or not disclosing their whereabouts
- Having a new nickname
- Using code to communicate with friends
- In possession of weapons or improvised weapons
- Involved in the misuse of drugs or alcohol
- In possession of unexplained amounts of money or new expensive gifts such as mobile phones or jewellery
Cuckooing
Cuckooing involves drug dealers taking over the home of a vulnerable person and us it as a base for drug dealing. This practice is increasing with urban dealers targeting small, rural and coastal towns where there is little or no competition. Signs to look out for include:
- Individuals taking over a vulnerable person's home
- Vulnerable people scared, threatened or coerced
- Frequent or high numbers of visitors at the address
- Signs of drugs misuse including deal bags and weighing scales
- Individuals with large amounts of cash or multiple mobile phones
How to report county lines, gang or cuckooing activity
If you believe a young or vulnerable person may be involved in county lines or gang activity, or are a victim of cuckooing and could be at risk of harm you can contact the Children's Single Point of Access (CSPA) or the Adult Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
Report a concern about a child or young person
Make an adult safeguarding referral
Alternatively, if you think someone you know is involved in a county lines enterprise, you can report it online or call Surrey Police on 101 (always call 999 in an emergency).