Police have arrested 1,660 criminals and closed 261 County Lines used by ruthless gangs to peddle misery across the nation in a week-long crackdown.

The mammoth multi-force operation also saw 557 weapons seized, removed four banned XL bully dogs from owners, as well as recovering £1.98 million in cash.

County Lines is the term used to describe drug dealing where mobile phones are used to supply drugs, typically from large cities to towns into rural areas.

They are run by ‘Line Holders’ who use local runners, often exploited vulnerable children, to deliver the drugs.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for County Lines, Commander Paul Brogden, said disrupting disrupt and dismantling County Lines networks across England and Wales was one of the highest priorities in tackling crime.

He said: "The latest intensification week figures shows policing continuing to make inroads into these criminal networks. During the latest intensification week, we closed 261 County Lines and targeted the drug dealers who destroy lives and communities, resulting in over 1,660 criminals arrested during the week.

“The relentless enforcement activity, as showcased during this and previous intensification weeks, has led to changes in the County Lines business model, as drug dealers seek to adapt and evade detection. We will continue to be agile in our approach to continue to effectively suppress and disrupt drugs supply chains.

“However, County Lines drug dealing continues to be linked with the most serious violence, demonstrated through the horrific weapons seized across the week, where we saw 557 weapons seized, which included 75 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, 105 other weapons like knuckledusters, nun chucks and hammers.”

Officers say they are continuing to focus on a prevention-first approach to tackling County Lines, with over 1,400 people safeguarded during the week, of which 48% were children.

They say stopping people being drawn in, whilst working to prepare communities for the impact of County Lines is vital.

Crime and Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: “County lines is one of the most violent and exploitative model of drug supply and we are determined to stop these heartless gangs from luring young people into a life of crime.

Amongst successful operations between November 25^th and Monday December 2^nd was

a joint Surrey/Met partnership to arrest and charge two County Lines criminals who were exploiting children to supply crack cocaine and heroin on the ‘Ghost’ line, running from London to Brighton. Both offenders have been charged with Drugs Supply and Modern Slavery offences.

Four warrants were also executed in South Yorkshire and Chesterfield resulting in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of over £35,000 worth of class A drugs, 23 mobile phones, an imitation firearm, bladed weapons and over £4,000 in cash.

British Transport Police arrested two individuals and seized 70 wraps of Heroin, an imitation firearm, an air rifle, Zombie knives, knuckle dusters and a crossbow.

Kent Police, Op Orochi Met Police and BTP’s County Lines teams all worked together to arrest the line holder and runner of the Junior County Lines, operating from London to Kent supplying crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin. Crack cocaine and heroin valued at £15,000-£20,000, £4,000 cash and 3 zombie knives were recovered.

The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit arrested three individuals at an American Sweet and Vape Shop with a large quantity of amphetamine and diazepam seized.

County Lines drug dealing is linked to the most serious violence, demonstrated through the weapons seized across the week, including knuckle dusters, hammers, and knives.

During the intensification week, 1,434 were found to be at risk with police forces working with relevant services and charities to help safeguard children and vulnerable adults, using a variety of options available to them, including specialist support referrals, strategy meetings, safety plans created and modern slavery crime reports.

James Simmonds-Read, national programme manager at The Children’s Society, said: “Exploitation is a sad reality for too many children throughout the UK today. 

“Sexually abused, forced to steal, launder money, and move drugs; children are seeing their childhood ebbing away, powerless in the face of those who control and exploit them.  

“Despite some signs of progress, all too often these children are blamed for their abuse, labelled as troublemakers, complicit, or told that they should have made different ‘choices’. But children cannot choose whether they experience abuse. 

“We want to ensure that victim blaming is consigned to history. By recognising these children as victims, no matter who they are or how they behave, and by taking action to get them support, you can help stop exploitation in its tracks.” 

Sharon Maciver, Criminal Exploitation Director at Action for Children added: “Criminal exploitation of children is child abuse. But the victims are often not identified as such, due to the nature of them being exploited into committing crimes.

“We know from our work that there are many different risk factors than can make a young person more vulnerable to exploitation, including neurodiversity, family breakdown and poverty. But we also know it can affect any child, from any background.

“We can and must do better at identifying and safeguarding children from criminal exploitation, but no one agency can tackle this problem alone. With commitment to real change, we could significantly improve the wellbeing and safety of children across the UK.