42 arrested by Leicestershire Police during County Lines Intensification Week

"Drug crime remains a top priority in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland."

Warrants, arrests and safeguarding visits were carried out by Leicestershire Police during County Lines Intensification Week.

The national week aims to target County Lines drug dealing, disrupt the supply of drugs and raise awareness of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE).

Through activities including warrants, ANPR operations and priority patrols in hotspot areas, Leicestershire Police:

Mapped new County Lines
Made 42 arrests which included mapped County Lines members
Executed 40 warrants
Led two ANPR operations – leading to six arrests and interrupted the supply of class A and B drugs
Recovered significant weapons including a homemade taser
Seized over £24,000 and 120 Euros in cash
Seized quantities of drugs including £6,000 worth of crack cocaine and 437 cannabis plants
Seized designer clothing worth over £10,000
Carried out 25 safeguarding visits

Detective Chief Inspector Dan Granger, who oversaw the week of activity, said: “Leicestershire Police, alongside our partners, have collaboratively worked to achieve these results, utilising national surge funding to support the operation.

“Alongside prevent and pursue activity, protecting those who are vulnerable is vitally important which is why safeguarding visits take place and warrants are carried out in properties that cause most harm in neighbourhoods and communities.

“These impressive results are the culmination of fantastic work to disrupt the movement of drugs, remove dangerous weaponry from the streets of LLR and provide education to raise awareness of County Lines criminality.”

340 school pupils, 65 educational professionals and 138 trusted adults were reached via interactive preventative workshops.

County Lines is the term used to describe drug dealing where mobile phones are used to supply drugs from large cities to towns and rural areas. County Lines are run by ‘line holders’ and the runners, often vulnerable people, deliver the drugs. The system of drug distribution can lead to serious violence and exploitation.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “The proactive work that has taken place this week is just a snapshot of the relentless, coordinated efforts being undertaken by officers and partners every day of the year to eradicate our communities of the misery brought by drugs.

“Drug crime remains a top priority in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. With every arrest and every seizure, we weaken the criminal operations that manipulate and exploit vulnerable people, destroy lives and heighten the violence on our streets – and we must not stop.

“I am pleased with the work underway in custody to give people misusing drugs the help they need to recover. Ultimately, this will help reduce demand and break the cycle of offending fuelled by addiction in the future.”