Yorkshire County Lines Crime Campaign Hits Home
A new social media blitz targeting county lines crime has made waves across Yorkshire and the Humber. Funded by the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), the powerful campaign aimed to educate young people about the brutal realities behind gang grooming and exploitation.
Hard-Hitting Videos Expose Dark Truth
In partnership with Fearless.org, the youth service arm of Crimestoppers, ROCU launched a series of punchy videos on Snapchat and Instagram. The clips followed the harrowing stories of Callum and Aimee, young people groomed into criminal lives involving drug dealing and, in Aimee’s case, sexual violence.
At the end of each video, viewers were urged to get help via a dedicated link, turning awareness into action.
Detective Insp. Mark Catney Speaks Out
“County Lines crime involves hardened criminals exploiting and grooming young people to do their dirty work,” said Detective Inspector Mark Catney, lead on County Lines Crime for ROCU.
“They lure youngsters with promises of a flashy lifestyle and gifts, but it’s a trap. These young people end up forced into serious crime, facing violence and potential jail.”
“By targeting social media platforms favoured by youths, we’re busting myths and aiming to steer them away from a dark path.”
Campaign Success and Warning Signs for Parents
Running from April 7 to May 5, the campaign reached nearly 140,000 teenagers aged 13-17 and 1.6 million people overall. Catney emphasised that the fight continues, with plans to educate parents, carers, and professionals about Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and county lines dangers.
He added: “If just one young person thinks twice before getting involved because of these ads, we’ve made a difference.”
Spot the Signs of County Lines Grooming
- Sudden attitude changes – becoming secretive or disrespectful
- Unexplained frequent travel, use of bus or train tickets to unknown places
- Going missing and being found far from home
- Sudden influx of money; buying expensive phones or designer clothes
- Appearance shifts – either flashy new clothes or looking unkempt
- New or older friends that raise suspicion
- Distant behaviour, possible signs of depression, skipping school
Stay alert and help protect young people from falling prey to ruthless criminals exploiting county lines drug networks.
