Two arrested for County Lines offences in North Worcestershire

On Thursday 11 November, officers from the North Worcestershire County Lines Team working with the Operational Policing Unit (OPU) stopped a vehicle on Millfield Road in Bromsgrove as part of a pre-planned operation to tackle the supply of Class A Drugs into Bromsgrove by the MAX County Line.

PC Hopkins from the County Lines Team said: “Following a search of the car, quantities of class A drugs, mobile phones and a large quantity of cash were recovered. Two men in their 20s from Birmingham were arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

“As part of our ongoing investigation both men have been released under investigation.

“County Lines’ activity involves a group from a large urban area travelling to smaller locations to sell drugs. They may challenge an existing group from the local area or another CL group in order to take over the local market which often causes an increase in violent incidents.

These groups travel between urban and county locations on a regular basis to collect drugs and deliver cash.

“County lines continues to remain a priority for us as does combatting all forms of Serious Organised Crime. We want to ensure the region becomes a no go area for travelling criminality and we will continue to target, pursue and prosecute those who bring drugs into our counties, commit violence and exploit vulnerable members of our communities.”

Anyone with suspicions that a property is being used to sell drugs from, or that a young and/ or vulnerable individual may be getting involved with county lines drug dealing is asked to contact their local police station or to ring 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where the information can be given anonymously.

The Protect campaign sees police work closely with partners to tackle serious and organised crime and the harm it causes. The broad-ranging campaign comprises four key areas of activity:

• Pursue - prosecuting and disrupting those involved in SOC
• Prevent - stopping individuals from becoming involved in SOC
• Protect - increased levels of protection against SOC
• Prepare - reducing the impact of SOC where it occurs

Find out more about our Protect campaign and follow #Protect on social media.

Issued by AG, Corporate Communications