No More County Lines Tour educates thousands of young people in Hyndburn

Lancashire Police are celebrating the success of their No More County Lines Tour, which has delivered crucial messages about exploitation and county lines activity to over 4,000 secondary school students in Hyndburn.

The tour, created in collaboration with The Message Trust, involved interactive sessions across the borough’s schools, combining real-life stories, music, and performances to help young people understand the dangers posed by organised crime groups.

Empowering students with knowledge

The initiative focused on building awareness, resilience, and positive decision-making skills among students, equipping them with the confidence to identify warning signs of exploitation and seek support if they have concerns about themselves or others.

Serious Violence Sergeant Mick Johnson highlighted the effectiveness of the tour, saying: "The No More County Lines Tour has been a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with young people in Hyndburn in a way that really resonates."

He added that the goal is prevention, helping students understand exploitation and reassuring them that support is always available.

Collaborative efforts

The programme was jointly funded by Lancashire Police and supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, underlining a shared commitment to safeguarding young people.

Emma Owen, Head of Youth Engagement at The Message Trust, praised the partnership's impact, noting the privilege of delivering the programme following the successful No More Knives Tour in Burnley and Accrington in 2022.

"Our 'No More County Lines Tour' combines music with powerful storytelling and practical teaching...providing young people with the awareness, resilience, and confidence to recognise the dangers of drugs, grooming, gang culture, and violence," Owen said.

Thanks were shared with additional partners, including local churches and Brave Church, for facilitating the end-of-tour concert.

For more information on county lines exploitation and advice, visit Lancashire Police's website or speak to a trusted adult or local officer.

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