The force carried out a number of raids throughout the week
A week-long operation has ended with Humberside Police arresting 16 people suspected of being involved in County Lines drug dealing and the exploitation of children and vulnerable people. The force’s County Lines Intensification Week, which ran from March 2 until March 8, was part of a national operation seeking to crack down on organised crime networks.
The coordinated operation saw officers from the force’s Organised Crime Teams, Kinetic Intervention Team, Roads Crime Team, and Neighbourhood Policing Teams targeting those responsible for serious organised crime and the harm it causes within local communities. Throughout the week, the force carried out a number of warrants, patrols, and vehicle stops.
As a result of the efforts, officers seized more than £3,000 worth of suspected drugs, over £14,000 in cash, 38 mobile phones believed to be connected to drug supply, and weapons including a machete, an extendable baton, a knife, and an air rifle. Officers also recovered assets believed to be linked to the Proceeds of Crime, including two vehicles, as part of efforts to disrupt the financial gain associated with organised drug supply.
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Explaining more about the operation, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Swaby, who is Humberside Police’s lead for County Lines Intensification Week, told Hull Live: “County Lines is a term used for drug supply techniques where people who are not from one area will move into an area and they will start to set up phone lines where they will deal Class A drugs to users.
“The intensification period gives us the opportunity to look at all of our resources, both for the police, partner agencies but also working with local schools, train stations – our British Transport colleagues – in relation to identifying a number of people who are of interest to us and those who are vulnerable who we want to engage with. We then look at a period of enforcement and engaging with people for safeguarding purposes.”
DCI Swaby explained that during the week, there is an increase in warrants at a rate of around 50%. “We have at least two to three targets of an operation per day during the intensification period,” he said.
He added: “We need to safeguard those who are most vulnerable in our communities. The County Lines will specifically target young people.”
Humberside Police say: “We continue to take all reports of suspected child criminal exploitation and drug activity seriously. If you have concerns about something happening in your area, please contact us on our non-emergency 101 number.
“If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.”
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