‘My experience shows how easily you can be trapped in county lines'

Protecting children and young people from the harm of illegal drugs has been at the heart of the latest iteration of Operation Scorpion (more here). While the threat illegal drugs and the networks who deal them pose is ever-changing, one constant remains - the dangerous and harmful exploitation of young people and children for the financial gain of the organised crime networks controlling them. Alongside the robust enforcement from Dorset Police which has seen warrants enacted and drug dealers disrupted during this latest operation, the efforts to protect vulnerable people is key – and constant. As PCC for Dorset, my Police and Crime Plan puts tackling these issues as a priority, and along with my team, I ensure effective and impactful services and education are commissioned to reduce the harm drugs and alcohol cause.

One of the services I support is Escapeline, a charity which helps young people to stay safe by educating them about how child exploitation and grooming happens, while teaching them protective strategies. The charity, which operates across the south west including in Dorset, work with a range of agencies and groups of people including local authorities and the police, as well as schools, parents, and pupils. They support young people who are identified as most at risk of exploitation, and today, I have asked one of these young people, to tell us about their experience.

I became involved in county lines because I was vulnerable and trying to provide for my child. What looked like quick money quickly turned into control, fear, and exploitation. I lost my independence, my safety, and any sense of stability. My experience shows how easily young people can be targeted and how quickly they can become trapped. I realised I needed help when the situation became dangerous and violent, and police involvement made it clear how serious things had become. But the truth is, I needed support long before that. If early intervention had been easier to access, things might not have escalated.

I didn’t have a chance to turn to anyone for help. Everything stopped in an instant when I was arrested and that was the moment, I realised how serious the situation was, and how far things had gone. Being involved in county lines changed the direction of my life for a long time, took a toll on my mental and emotional wellbeing, and made it hard to trust people or feel safe. Even after getting out, the worry, the stress, and the long-term effects don’t just disappear. This experience showed me how important ongoing support is, not just for leaving exploitation, but for rebuilding confidence, stability, and a sense of future.

To anyone in a similar situation, I’d tell them they’re not alone and they’re not to blame. County lines may initially feel like a way out or a way to survive but it is putting them at risk. There is help available, and speaking up early can save their life and their future. But for them to speak up, the services around them need to be safe, welcoming, and consistent. Friends and family need to listen, stay supportive, and notice the signs. Sometimes the hardest thing is making tough decisions, like calling the police, but that could be what saves a young person from even more debt, danger, or exploitation. Helping them access safe, professional support can make all the difference.

I hope reading this young person’s words demonstrates the destructive power county lines can have on a young person’s life. Escapeline do an incredible job, but it is really important that everyone knows the signs to look out for when it comes to exploitation. You can find out more information on the signs to be aware of, and the charity also has a helpline for parents who have concerns their child may be at risk of exploitation. Parent Helpline – Escapeline. Raising awareness, providing effective intervention and education is absolutely key when it comes to exploitation and county lines. I urge everyone to familiarise themselves with the signs – you could help save a young person.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner