Torquay county lines crackdown leads to arrests

Hotels in a Devon resort were visited by police as part of an operation to crackdown on county lines crime and stop criminals targeting vulnerable people. Officers spoke to staff at nearly 40 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in Torquay.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the visits took place to raise awareness of county lines exploitation, with staff advised about the signs to look out for and how to report it if they suspect illegal activity taking place on their premises.

County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs.

Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations - known as ‘cuckooing’. Nineteen visits were also made by police to people who were suspected to be vulnerable to ensure they had support in place and were not a victim of exploitation by an OCG (organised crime gang).

In addition, police operations around county lines crime in Torquay saw a quantity of cannabis and a suspected stolen watch seized. One person was arrested for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs after being found in possession of £1,300 in cash and a burner phone, while another individual was arrested for possession of a knife with a locking blade.

Inspector Chris Lithgow said: "County lines activity can happen anywhere. This work aims to disrupt and deter OCGs from operating in our communities, showing that we are taking action against drug activity and will pursue individuals involved.

"A large part of our action also involves officers safeguarding vulnerable people and educating the public around county lines and exploitation."

For more information about county lines, cuckooing and the signs to look out for, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.

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