00:01Merseyside Police have stepped up their fight against serious organised crime during a national crackdown on County Lines drug networks.
00:08Officers from Project Medusa led a series of targeted raids and operations across the region as part of County Lines intensification week.
00:17It's a blight on our communities, isn't it? There's a crossover of all kinds.
00:21There's serious violence that occurs with it. There's anti-social behaviour and there's lots of activities that harm our communities.
00:32So what we do is we try to make our communities safer by using our County Lines task force, by using our whole Medusa team to see how we can not only protect those young people, make our communities safer.
00:44County Lines refers to a form of drug dealing where gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to move drugs and cash from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.
00:55This criminal activity is often hidden, but the harm it causes is devastating.
00:59What we do try to do is when we close them down, we try to convict people of using our young people.
01:05So we'll use the Modern Day Slavery Act and we will try and prosecute as many people.
01:11Last year we had 45 charges against individuals who have used children specifically using that Modern Day Slavery Act.
01:20Alongside enforcement safeguarding vulnerable people was a key priority.
01:24Police worked closely with social workers and charities to protect those at risk, especially young people.
01:30We have the likes of your charities who assist us as well.
01:34So the likes of Catch-22, specialist service provider who work with young people who are being criminally exploited.
01:40We work with the Averson Trust who work with parents and the families of young people who are being exploited.
01:46We also support the adults as well, people with addiction who our crime group prey on.
01:52Meanwhile, the Eyes Open campaign continues to warn parents, carers and communities about the warning signs of child criminal exploitation.
02:02Gangs often lure children in with gifts like designer clothes or expensive bikes before trapping them in a cycle of debt and criminality.
02:09If you're seeing somebody whose house has been invaded by a crime group, taken over by a crime group member,
02:16then arrange a visit, arrange a specialist service to go around and see them.
02:20If you see a young person on the street, if you identify that, they may have new clothing,
02:26they may have come across morning a new bike, then there's something that might trigger you to think,
02:33well there's something not quite right there, but let us know.
02:36Anyone with concerns can contact Crimestoppers anonymously and young people can find support through Fearless,
02:43a youth-focused service offering advice without judgement.
02:47Police say the week of action is just one of a part of a wider year-round strategy to tackle county lines,
02:53dismantling networks, protecting the vulnerable and keeping our communities safe.
02:58monk clubhouse,Джgy and instill for her work that aims to ensure that to help interest themé”æ„.
03:11We must argue despite the fact thatì is simply one of the mĂłn rejoices of individuals,
03:14that see although consumers should bechain to the Yeselp company and consider that.
03:19My forgiveness is for instance is this effort,
03:22but it's something that we talked about making choices in the right direction of clothing.
