A WEEK of action on drug dealing and exploitation has seen Thames Valley Police make nearly 100 arrests.
Part of a national campaign, the force executed a series of warrants across the region, which led to officers bringi98 people into custody, 40 were charged. Thirty people were safeguarded.
It also saw 1,200 wraps of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine seized, and at least 1,100 cannabis plants.
Officers confiscated weapons including a baseball bat, machetes and hunting, flick, Rambo and kitchen knives. Also seized was £67,000 in cash and 121 mobile phones.
The force said that they have also gained a ‘significant amount’ of intelligence to help tackle the problem going forward.
The haul was a response to the County Lines Intensification Week, coordinated by the NPCC-led National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), which ran from Monday, October 9 to Sunday, October 15, and had a focus on drug dealers and those exploit the vulnerable.
County lines drug dealing sees organised crime groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. This often exploits children and people who may have addiction or mental health issues.
Victims are often exploited by OCGs who groom, coerce and often will use intimidation and violence in order to supply drugs to others.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Newman-West of Thames Valley Police was pleased with the way the week had gone.
“We are working harder than ever to crack down on county lines, which bring misery to communities in the form of drug dealing and violence,” he said.
“There is a county lines lead in all 43 police forces, working to identify new ways to crack down on this abhorrent crime. The technical abilities available to us, and knowledge that has been gathered in previous weeks of action, mean county lines are no longer a low risk and high reward enterprise.
“We are dedicated to bringing those responsible for violence and exploitation to justice. We will use all avenues available to us, including increased use of Modern Slavery legislation to target line holders.
“County lines have adapted their approaches after relentless pressure from police forces on their illegal activities by targeting the vulnerable in different areas of the country to run drugs for them. We will continue to adapt our approaches to shut down the lines and target line holders in equal parts as safeguarding victims.”
And James Simmonds-Read, national programme manager at The Children’s Society, said: “Criminals groom young people in person or online and use terrifying threats and violence to force them into crimes such as carrying drugs and fraud or exploiting them sexually.
“This Awareness Week we want to highlight how exploitation can happen to any young person, anywhere, and as the nights draw in, we especially urge people to spot the signs of exploitation in public places after dark.
“Young people can be targeted at fast food outlets, forced to travel on trains and in taxis late at night, and are abused behind closed doors, in hotels and holiday lets.
“Whether you are on a night out, commuting home, staying overnight for a business trip, or working as a driver or in customer service, you could be the one that gets help.
“Call the police on 101 or 999 if there is an immediate risk. If on a train text British Transport Police on 61016. Alternatively, you can contact the NSPCC for advice on 0808 800 5000.”
