York study uncovers 'postcode lottery' in County Lines policing
Researchers at the University of York say it's leaving vulnerable people at risk
A University of York study says "inconsistent" policing of drug gangs is putting vulnerable people at risk.
The study found there are widespread systemic deficiencies and differences both in, and between, forces on the approach to County Lines policing, and, as a consequence, appropriate policing and safeguarding responses resemble a “postcode lottery”.
Researchers recommend that more national guidance and centralised oversight to create a minimum standard response within and between all forces is needed to protect vulnerable people.
In addition, researchers at the Universities of York, Liverpool and Leeds also suggest that the term ‘County Lines’ is now outdated, due to improved understanding of how drug distribution involving travel to other areas by young people has evolved to also encompass local drug supply and exploitation of young people.
The study, involving 117 interviews with key officers across 44 police forces, examined how the police process young people and vulnerable adults involved in drug distribution in cross-border and local drug markets.
Historically, those involved in drug supply have been criminalised, but in recent years an understanding that many vulnerable children and adults have been forced or manipulated into involvement has led to calls for them to be seen as victims - to be safeguarded not punished.
The findings show however, that although police forces are changing and increasingly seek to safeguard when exploitation is suspected, for example through the introduction of Child Centred Police Teams in some areas, there is still no consistent or baseline approach either across forces or indeed within single force areas.
Professor Charlie Lloyd, from the Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre, University of York, said: “It is a considerable challenge for police officers when they are faced with a child carrying Class A drugs, suspected of being exploited to distribute drugs, but who is perhaps also antagonistic and unwilling to cooperate with police.
“In these circumstances there needs to be national guidelines that will aid officers in their decision-making and a baseline safeguarding response to ensure that vulnerable young people are not unnecessarily criminalised.
“We also showed that the term ‘County Lines’ itself has become problematic. Whilst it appears to have served a purpose in highlighting that exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults is a key feature of this type of organised crime, many officers now agree it is time to move on from this categorisation, to enable resources to follow the exploitation in drug supply, regardless of whether it is across borders or local - which is increasingly the case.”