Typically using young people as “drug runners”, County lines, (i.e. “drug networks engineered by gangs and organised criminal networks that export illegal substances – typically heroin and crack cocaine – between the growing market in suburban areas and larger cities”), has become more insidious during lockdown. A recent assessment suggests there are more than 1,000 lines in operation nationally while investigators say a typical “line” will generate in the region of £2,000 to £3,000 per day. (1)
Analysts believe it grooms and exploits thousands of children, from as young as 11 years of age every year, with Afrikan boys particularly (though not exclusively) targeted – at school gates, in chicken shops and not uncommonly at Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), which disproportionately affects Afrikan children. (2) This ensnares Afrikan young people in the criminal justice system at a young age and while the police are seeing evidence of abuse and grooming, they’re keen to process them as criminals and prosecute them, where they tend to be given harsher sentences than their white counterparts. (3)
What this also reveals is that while the police will expend resources to take down a local young person, they seem reluctant to pursue the leaders. One support worker suggests that this is because doing so will unleash a “wave of violence” in the lower ranks that will upset the “equilibrium.” (4) Another worker suggests that the systemic issue goes beyond the police:
“It is hard to believe that the government is unable to trace the money, or even the drugs coming into the UK. With all the security focused statutory bodies in this country, we know that the know-how and resources are there. It is high time they were put to good use. The government has the power to pull levers, and create a specialised, policy driven response to this issue. Setting up funding schemes and leaving it to charities isn’t the answer… No child is safe unless this is addressed at the national level.” (5)
To do this the government would need to take on the City of London (i.e. the financial district), a major link in the global drug trade (as well as being home to some of its more illustrious customers). (6) With this degree of high-level association, the Afrikan community needs to examine what resources it has to address this issue having such a deleterious effect on too many of our young people.
(1) Nadine White (A)(01/03/21) Explained: What ‘County Lines’ Is And How It Works. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/county-lines-how-drug-dealing-works-in-uk_uk_6033d072c5b66da5dba32b2c?ncid=other_huffpostre_pqylmel2bk8&utm_campaign=related_articles.
(2) Nadine White (B) (01/03/21) Revealed: Drug Gangs Are Stealing Children From Loving Families – Even In Lockdown. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/county-lines-child-trafficking-minority-matters_uk_6033cc03c5b673b19b6a12f5; Haroon Siddique 28/09/20) Black working-class pupils unfairly excluded in England, thinktank warns. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/sep/28/black-working-class-pupils-unfairly-excluded-in-england-thinktank-warns
(3) Ibid.
(4) White (A). Op. cit.
(5) White (B). Op. cit.
(6) Max Daly & Steve Sampson (25/10/13) 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Britain’s Drug Trade. https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/news/a5077/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-britains-drug-trade/
We ask the question:
County Lines: How widespread is it?
Our Special Guest:
Claudine Duberry: is the CEO and founder of Taking Positive Steps and Associates (TPS) and Taking Positive Steps Foundation (TPSF) a registered charity and sits as joint lead for families on the Violent Crime Prevention Board, and one of the founding members of the London Gang Exit strategy. She is a motivational speaker, consultant and mentor. TPS is committed to providing cost effective, consultancy and training to professionals who work and engage with young people who are on the periphery or involved in crime. TPS are also committed to providing a tailored resettlement service to young people who are ostracized and excluded from society.
Claudine has worked with Northamptonshire Police as an arrest referral officer. She has also worked as a criminal justice manager for a voluntary organization. During her time in this post Claudine was invited by the Met police (Hackney) to join them in setting up the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) which was a recommendation of the McPherson report. Claudine chaired the IAG for 4 years. During the longest armed siege (15 days) Claudine was very influential in the community and was later presented with a commendation by Sir John Stevens. Claudine’s role with the IAG paved the way for the work she later did with John Coles head of operation Trident. Once again playing an influential part Claudine single-handedly retrieve a firearm and live bullets from the streets for which she received a commendation for services to the community. Claudine’s role of Remand social worker brought her into contact with gangs, young people with mental health issues and the foster care system. The gaps in these service provision encouraged Claudine to establish TPS.
Claudine is passionate about education and holds various qualifications. Claudine is also passionate about children and young people and the services they receive. Claudine has been privileged to have accessed the custodial system for young people, both in Jamaica and St Lucia where youth crime is proliferating and has done some extensive work alongside these countries in their attempts to address their growing issues of youth crime.