POLICE in North Yorkshire made six arrests during a national week of coordinated action to tackle “county lines” drug dealing.

Officers also carried out 53 welfare visits to cuckooing victims and safeguarded 16 adults during the crackdown.

County lines is the name given to a form of organised crime in which drug dealers from urban areas exploit vulnerable people - including children - and force them to deal drugs in smaller towns and cities.

It takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to communicate between towns and advertise their drugs for sale.

The Week of Intensification, coordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), began on October 7 and involved all police forces across the country.

In North Yorkshire, officers also targeted public transport providers to raise awareness of how to spot children who may have been exploited and are traveling to North Yorkshire to sell drugs.

Young people who have been groomed and exploited by drug dealers often travel long distances in taxis or buses and use cash – often high amounts - to pay their fare.

In York, the residents of two entire streets were visited in partnership with the City of York Council due to ongoing issues relating to drug dealing and to check on the welfare of some of the residents.

Chief Inspector Emma Aldred of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Due to the exploitation of vulnerable people and the violence that’s often associated with it, disrupting county lines remains a major priority for North Yorkshire Police.

“The week of intensification is an opportunity to highlight how we are tackling this issue in North Yorkshire, but what we also want to make clear, is that our work is going on every day of every week.

“Due to the vulnerability of its victims, working with partners to provide wrap-around care and support is also important if we are to break the cycle of drug dependency, vulnerability and antisocial behaviour associated with county lines.

"My thanks go to all our partners who work with us every day to tackle this complex area of criminality and the social problems it brings with it.

“Information from the public is also vital and helps to shape operational activity, so my plea to members of the public is please continue to report information, no matter how insignificant you think it might be.

"Your information could be the crucial piece we need, or help to safeguard a vulnerable child or adult.”