County Lines: 20 people arrested and £10,000 seized in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police also says it visited 95 vulnerable people who are caught up in drug dealing.

Arrests were made in York, Harrogate, Whitby, Thirsk, Scarborough, and the A1.

As well as £10,000 being seized, heroin, cannabis, pregabalin, and cocaine were discovered by officers, believed to be worth several thousand pounds.

Chief Inspector Lorraine Crossman-Smith, who coordinated North Yorkshire Police’s participation in the week of intensification, said: “Disrupting drug dealing and the associated violence and exploitation continues to be a major priority for North Yorkshire Police.

“The week of intensification has given us an opportunity to demonstrate the type of work that goes on around the force on a daily basis. I am pleased with the results that come in the wake of a number of recent convictions for drug dealing including a gang of 10 and a gang of 4 that targeted York, and a gang of five that plagued Scarborough.

“That said, it is not only about arrests and convictions, it’s also about protecting those who are affected by the violence and intimidation, helping them to break the cycle of addiction and moving them away from the harm that comes from being targeted by ruthless, organised criminals.  

“We can’t do that alone, which is why working with our partner agencies such as housing and addiction services is so important. So my thanks goes to everyone who supported us this week.

“I hope the people of North Yorkshire are reassured that we mean it when we say drug dealing is a priority and that we will take action when they report information to us.

“You can do this by looking out for the signs of exploitation and drug dealing. If you don’t want to call us, you can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers. We can and do take action.”

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. 

Work has also taking place to contact people who may be involved. 

During the week, officers worked with partner agencies to carry out welfare visits to vulnerable adults who are known or suspected as being vulnerable to county lines exploitation.

They were given advice and information about staying safe, how to spot the signs of county lines activity and how to get help from specialist organisations for drug and alcohol addiction.

Officers also spent time talking to taxi and bus drivers about how to spot children who may be travelling to North Yorkshire to sell drugs.

Exploited young people are known to often travel long distances on public transport to deliver money and drugs.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police also patrolled railways stations with British Transport Police officers to talk to passengers and look out for potential victims of trafficking, and drugs being transported into the county.

Detective Inspector Mark Catney, County Lines lead for the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, added: “Criminals – and in particular those involved in County Lines Crime do not respect local borders and boundaries and so it is important we work together to make the maximum possible impact.

“This was a successful week of action but the sort of work that took place – both to target offenders and safeguard victims is constantly on going.”

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott said: “I welcome the arrests, visits and seizures made here in North Yorkshire and across the country as part of the week of action to tackle county lines drug dealing. But we should be under no illusions about the scale of the challenge we face from these organised criminals who bring tragedy to communities and scar our society.

“Too many still believe that because North Yorkshire is picturesque and rural, drugs are not a problem here. They are - and we need to do even more to get them off our streets and protect the young people who are exploited by dealers who travel here, force them to sell drugs and cause untold damage to their lives and the lives of those who buy and take illegal substances because they’re easily available and under pressure to do so.

“Ensuring we take prompt action to educate and enforce is one of my priorities as commissioner. I have made that commitment clear to the chief constable and will ensure the force gets the resources and support it needs to protect those at risk, bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe. I will do everything possible to protect the residents of North Yorkshire and York.”

Anyone with concerns about county lines can speak to their local police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Young people worried about being involved in county lines, or who knows someone who is, can also contact www.fearless.org – which allows people to pass on information about crime anonymously.

They can also contact Childline on 0800 1111 – which is a private and confidential service.

Arrest round-up:

Harrogate

Officers from Operation Expedite were on patrol in the Avenue Grove area on May 17 when their suspicions were raised by the activity of a man who was stopped and searched and found to have suspected class A drugs on him.

Enquiries then led officers to search a nearby property where they found three other men who were also searched. Officers recovered more drugs stashed in a mattress, £200 in cash from one of the men and other suspected drugs paraphernalia including three mobile phones. A fourth man was also arrested on suspicion of theft offences.

A man in his 40s who had breached his prison licence and was wanted for recall to prison was arrested in Harrogate on Sunday morning (22 May) and returned to prison.

A man in his 30s was arrested on Otley Road on Sunday after officers were concerned about the erratic manner of driving. He failed a roadside drug wipe and was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and possessing class A drugs. He was released while under investigation.

York

Two men and two women were arrested at a property in York on May 21 following a warrant carried out under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

All four who are aged in their 30s, were arrested on suspicion of drug offences. Officers also seized a quantity of drugs and several mobile phones. Three of the suspects have been released while under investigation and a fourth has been released on conditional police bail.

On Saturday night (May 22) officers on patrol in York city centre became suspicious of a vehicle and its occupant. Officers followed the car where it came to a stop outside a hotel. The vehicle was searched and a large amount of cash was found along with a lock knife. The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of possessing criminal property (the cash) and possessing a knife. He was questioned and released while under investigation.

A man in his 40s was arrested in York on  May 19 after officers found the remains of a suspected cannabis grow at a property in York. The man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and being concerned in the production of cannabis. He was taken into custody for questioning and release while under investigation to allow for further enquiries to be carried out.

A1

Two men and a woman, all from Leeds, were arrested in the early hours of Saturday, May 22, after the car they were travelling in was stopped by officers on the A1 near Wetherby.

Officers searched the car and the suspects and found a large amount of cash, a meat cleaver and a small amount of cannabis.

The driver, a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of a number of motoring offences including drug driving and driving while disqualified and possessing a knife.

The passengers, a woman in her 30s, was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis and possessing a knife, and a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife, acquiring criminal property (the cash), he was also recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his prison license. All three were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft. The driver has been released while under investigation and the woman was released without charge.

On Saturday afternoon officers stopped a speeding vehicle on the A1 near Tadcaster. On noticing the smell of cannabis from the car, offices searched it and found a large vacuum bag of cannabis. The driver, a man in his 30s from Romford, Essex, was arrested and later charged with possessing cannabis. He is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on 8 June.

Whitby

In Whitby a man in his 20s was arrested on Friday, May 21 on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply. Officers searched him and his home and recovered class A drugs, cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia. He has been released while under investigation.

Thirsk

Two men aged in their 30s were arrested in Thirsk on Wednesday, May 19 after offices stopped a car when they became concerned about the manner of driving. After noticing a strong smell of cannabis, a search of the vehicle resulted in officers seizing a large bag containing 15 smaller bags of suspected cannabis along with two bags of from the driver.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply. The driver was also arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs after failing a drug test. Both were released while under investigation

Scarborough

On Wednesday May 22, a woman in her 50s was arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs after she was detained by officers in relation to a separate offence. She has been released on bail while enquiries continue.