Drug Dealers Faking NHS IDs to Dodge Lockdown Rules, Report Reveals
Drug gangs are crafting fake NHS ID badges to sneak around during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, a shocking new report has uncovered.
County Lines Gangs Pull New Tricks to Avoid Police
The National Centre for Gang Research (NCGR) says “county lines” gangs are getting crafty. They’re dressing as joggers, dropping drugs through letterboxes, and even doing drive-by deals to stay under the radar.
Despite police reportedly asking key workers for ID, official guidance says it’s not mandatory — but dealers are exploiting confusion to their advantage.
Lockdown Party Packs and Contactless Drug Sales Soar
The NCGR’s report reveals dealers are cashing in on panic buying by selling “lockdown party packs” and bulk drug deals. Social distancing hasn’t stopped them – it’s made their methods more inventive.
“Covid-19 has brought swift changes in how drug gangs are doing business, with many dealers adhering to social distancing and safety measures,” said Prof Simon Harding, NCGR director.
“Vehicles are used more for deals arranged by phone, tossing drugs from windows and leaving money on back seats to keep things clean.”
Old County Lines Model ‘Too Risky’ – Dealers Shift Tactics
Prof Harding explained the usual county lines method — children ferrying drugs from cities to smaller towns — has become “too risky.”
Instead, dealers now drive runners themselves or recruit locals to run drugs. Plus, gang recruitment has shifted online, trapping young people in dangerous lifestyles from behind screens.
“Street gangs are forced to find new tactics like shifting grooming and recruitment online to social media. This means young people can become ensnared in dangerous gang activity from their phones while their families have no idea, and that is a worry.”
Coronavirus Hurdles Make ‘Cuckooing’ Harder for Gangs
The report also found gangs are struggling to take over vulnerable people’s homes — a tactic known as “cuckooing” — due to lockdown. So street gangs are setting up their own bases instead.
