MORE than fifty County Lines have been smashed and 180 deadly weapons seized, as BTP’s specialist Taskforce continues to wage war on criminal gangs who profit from the sale of illegal drugs.
From April 1 2024 to March 31 this year, a total of 630 people have been arrested for their involvement in criminal enterprises which use the rail network as a means to transport drugs into communities.
Utilising a range of crime fighting resources like knife arches and passive drugs dogs, more than three quarters of a tonne of class A, B and C drugs have been seized in the same time period.
County Lines activity is linked to gangs, weapons, violence and the exploitation of young people and the most vulnerable in our society. Dealers frequently target children and adults – often with mental health or addiction problems – to act as drug runners or move cash.
Those exploited are often exposed to physical, mental and sexual abuse, and in some instances will be trafficked to areas a long way from home as part of the network’s drug dealing business.
The Taskforce, working hand in hand with charities and local authorities, have safeguarded numerous children and young people exploited by drugs gangs.
In addition 14 people have been charged with modern day slavery offences where vulnerable people are coerced into undertaking forced labour often under the threat of violence.
Officers have also identified 68 cuckooing addresses – where County Lines gangs take over a property belonging to a vulnerable person and use it to operate their criminal activity from – and safeguarded the victims.
The Taskforce have worked closely with other forces across the country on 190 joint operations targeting specific rail and tube stations, utilising local force knowledge alongside that of our specialised officers to ensure every deployment made a significant dent in County Lines.
During 2024 up to March 2025 the British Transport Police County Lines taskforce have:
• Made over 630 arrests
• Seized more than 789Kg of Class A,B and C drugs (over 3/4 of a tonne)
• Seized over £540,000 in cash
• Taken 180 weapons, knives and firearms off the streets
• Secured 14 Modern Day Slavery charges
• Identified 54 unknown County Lines drug lines and seized many more
• Led 190 partnership operations
Detective Superintendent Craig Payne, Head of BTP’s County Lines Taskforce, said: “Consistent results like these show we are making great strides in the fight against County Lines gangs and the communities they prey upon.
“But we know there is still more work to be done and far from being complacent, we are committed to intensifying our efforts to intercept the transport of drugs on the rail network.
“We are constantly evolving and enhancing our methods to keep pace with the tactics used by these gangs – teaming up with Home Office forces means we can pool our resources and intelligence to target our deployments.
“We will continue to pursue those who make lives a misery through drug supply particularly those who control children and young people and exploit the vulnerable.
“If you are concerned about someone being caught up in County Lines or have information you wish to report please text us on 61016, call us on 0800 40 50 40 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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