This keynote was presented by Duncan Evans, the County Lines Lead for Child Exploitation at the National County Lines Coordination Centre, Metropolitan Police. This session was featured at our previous Tackling County Lines Conference.
Duncan Evans delved into the complex issue of county lines, shedding light on the dark underbelly of drug trafficking and exploitation in urban and rural areas. County lines, a term encapsulating the movement of illegal drugs facilitated by the coercion of vulnerable individuals, particularly children and adults, represent a deeply entrenched societal challenge.
Evans underlines that county lines operate like a business model, fuelled by the insatiable demand for illicit substances. This nefarious network thrives on various criminal activities, including violence and exploitation, to maintain its grip on the market. The methods employed, such as bulk text messaging and social media, facilitate the seamless communication and transportation of drugs across vast geographical distances.
Of particular concern is the exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, often lured into this underworld through deceptive promises and manipulative tactics employed via social media platforms. Despite shifts in the geographical landscape of drug trafficking, the underlying modus operandi remains alarmingly consistent. Evans stresses the imperative of identifying and addressing these telltale signs across multiple sectors, urging concerted efforts from law enforcement, educational institutions, and local authorities.
However, the battle against county lines faces formidable obstacles, including the privacy policies of social media giants, which impede effective intervention. Evans advocates for enhanced communication and collaboration among diverse agencies to navigate these challenges successfully. He emphasizes the necessity of targeting not only the higher echelons of drug suppliers but also those who exploit the most vulnerable members of society.
In discussing governmental strategies, Evans highlights the “harm to hope” initiative, designed to mitigate drug demand while bolstering law enforcement endeavours. Nevertheless, he underscores the imperative of a national approach to data recording and sharing concerning vulnerable individuals, advocating for real-time information dissemination to safeguard against instances of exploitation and disappearance.
A critical impediment highlighted by Evans is the difficulty in distinguishing between suspects and victims, exacerbated by the protracted National Referral Mechanism (NRM) process, which can take 5-600 days for conclusive determination. Legislative reforms aim to streamline the NRM, rendering it more objective and expeditious.
Drawing from past failings, exemplified tragically in cases like that of Jaden Moodie, Evans underscores the urgency of effective identification of county lines and robust intelligence analysis. He advocates for prioritizing cases based on threat, risk, and harm, given the finite nature of available resources.
Moreover, Evans stresses the growing prevalence of evidence-led prosecutions, particularly under modern slavery legislation, though their efficacy remains variable. He calls for a clear legal definition of child exploitation to enhance law enforcement’s capacity to combat this scourge effectively.
Persistent data recording and analysis challenges, coupled with bureaucratic hurdles in the judicial system, impede progress. Evans underscores the necessity of mapping county lines based on threat assessment, especially concerning minors, and calls for improvements in national recording mechanisms to circumvent jurisdictional conflicts.
In conclusion, Evans emphasizes the imperative of a unified, multifaceted approach to safeguarding vulnerable individuals from the clutches of county lines. Only through enhanced coordination and a steadfast commitment to learning from past mistakes can society hope to stem the tide of exploitation and protect its most vulnerable members.
Latest Tackling Gangs, Violence and County Lines Conference
Join us at The Tackling Gangs, Violence and County Lines Conference for key insights on
combating organised crime. Benefit from high-level keynotes, case studies on victim safeguarding and
criminal network dismantling. Explore topics like multi-agency collaboration, engaging with vulnerable youth, and service delivery enhancement.
Register FREE to access 2 more articles
We hope you’ve enjoyed your first article on GE Insights. To access 2 more articles for free, register now to join the Government Events community.
(Use discount code CPWR50)
