County lines crackdown leads to 55 arrests

A county lines crackdown in Sussex has led to 55 arrests and protected 74 people targeted by criminal gangs.

The Sussex Police operation also seized £42,000 worth of cash, eight weapons including machetes and intercepted eight county lines.

County lines is the term used to describe drug-dealing networks connecting urban and rural areas, using phone lines across the UK.

Sussex Police said among other charges two people have been charged with two counts of holding a person in slavery or servitude.

The operation was part of a nationwide policing crackdown and ran from 25 November until 1 December.

Sussex Police said it safeguarded 74 people, including 44 children, as a result of the campaign.

Superintendent Michelle Palmer-Harris said: "I would also encourage the general public to spot the signs and help us in our efforts.

"Do you know a young person who has unexplained sums of money or items of clothing?

"Do they have unexplained injuries? Is their educational performance declining, or are they going missing for extended periods of time?

"These could all be signs that they are being exploited by County Lines drug gangs."

A similar operation in March led to 34 arrests connected to county lines.

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