County Lines CSE and Criminal Exploitation in the UK

County Lines CSE and Criminal Exploitation are some of the most significant issues facing children and vulnerable adults in the UK today.

These forms of exploitation are driven by organised crime groups that use violence, intimidation, and coercion to control their victims and exploit them for financial gain. In this article, we will explore the nature of County Lines, CSE and Criminal Exploitation, the impact they have on victims, and what is being done to address these issues.
Learn more about the broader context of criminal justice and exploitation in the UK.

This article explains:

• what county lines, CSE, and criminal exploitation are
• how they affect children and young people
• risk indicators and common tactics used by exploiters
• UK policy and legal frameworks
• how professionals can identify and respond safely

What Is County Lines Exploitation?

County lines refers to the practice of urban drug networks expanding their operations into smaller towns and rural areas, using dedicated mobile phone “lines” to facilitate sales and control. The term has evolved to describe both the distribution model and the associated violence and exploitation.

Young people are frequently recruited or coerced into county lines activity to:

• deliver goods or payments
• carry drugs or money
• travel to unfamiliar areas
• act as lookouts
• protect locations

The term “County Lines” comes from the use of dedicated mobile phone lines used by the gangs to coordinate their activities. The gangs will typically target vulnerable individuals, often children, and groom them over time to become part of their drug-dealing network. The victims may be offered money, drugs, or the promise of protection in exchange for their services.

Once a victim is recruited, they will be sent to different towns and cities across the UK to sell drugs on behalf of the gang. They will be given a “county line” mobile phone and instructed to use a specific code to arrange drug deals with customers. The victims will often stay in cheap hotels or other temporary accommodation, where they are at risk of abuse, exploitation, and violence.

Recruitment into county lines and other forms of exploitation is rarely accidental. It is sustained through grooming and coercive control. Learn more about how grooming and coercive control maintain criminal exploitation in our dedicated article.

Recruitment tactics may include:

• gifts or attention
• coercion and threats
• peer pressure
• debt bondage (real or fabricated)

County lines is not defined in law by a single statute, but it is prosecuted under a range of criminal offences, including drug trafficking, money laundering, possession of weapons, and child abuse legislation.

For a comprehensive overview of how exploitation intersects with law enforcement, safeguarding and trauma-informed practice, see our Criminal Justice & Exploitation page.

The impact of County Lines on victims

The impact of County Lines on victims can be devastating. Children and vulnerable adults who become involved in drug dealing are often subjected to physical and emotional abuse, and their lives can be put in danger by the violent nature of the criminal groups involved. They may also be forced to use drugs themselves as a way of keeping them compliant.

Victims of County Lines can experience significant harm to their physical and mental health, including addiction, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may also suffer from social and educational exclusion, as their involvement in drug dealing can lead to them being expelled from school or ostracised by their peers.

These responses are part of a wider framework of criminal justice and exploitation practice, which you can explore in our dedicated page.

What Is Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)?

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is another form of exploitation that can have devastating consequences for its victims. CSE involves the sexual abuse of children by adults, often involving the use of grooming and coercion to manipulate the child into sexual activity in exchange for:

• money
• gifts
• affection
• status
• accommodation
• protection

CSE can take many different forms, including online grooming and sexual exploitation, as well as more traditional forms of abuse. The perpetrators of CSE can be strangers, family members, or people in positions of authority, such as teachers or youth workers.

CSE involves power imbalances and exploitation.

Common features of CSE include:

• grooming (online/in person)
• multiple sexual partners
• secretive relationships
• association with older individuals
• unexplained gifts or money

CSE is illegal under multiple UK laws, including the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The impact of CSE on victims

The impact of CSE on victims can be profound and long-lasting. Children who are sexually exploited may experience a range of physical, emotional, and psychological harm, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. They may also suffer from a loss of self-esteem, feelings of shame and guilt, and difficulties forming healthy relationships.

The trauma of CSE can also lead to a range of risky behaviours, including substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Victims of CSE may also experience significant educational and social exclusion, as their experiences can impact their ability to engage with school or form healthy social connections.

Criminal Exploitation

Criminal Exploitation is a broader term that encompasses a range of exploitative practices, including County Lines and CSE. It refers to situations where individuals are coerced or manipulated into committing crimes for the benefit of others, often involving violence or the threat of violence.

The perpetrators of criminal exploitation can be organised crime groups, individuals or groups of individuals who seek to exploit vulnerable people for their own financial gain. The exploitation can take many different forms, including forced labour, forced marriage, human trafficking, and other forms of modern slavery.

The impact of Criminal Exploitation on victims

The impact of Criminal Exploitation on victims can be significant and long-lasting. Victims of criminal exploitation may experience physical, emotional, and psychological harm, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. They may also suffer from social and economic exclusion, as their experiences can impact their ability to work, form healthy relationships, or participate in society.

The exploitation can also have a profound impact on the victim’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Victims may feel ashamed or guilty about their involvement in criminal activities, even though they were coerced or manipulated into participating.

What is being done to address these issues?

The UK government has taken steps to address the issue of County Lines, CSE, and Criminal Exploitation. In 2019, the government launched a national County Lines Coordination Centre to help tackle the issue. The centre brings together police forces, government agencies, and other organisations to share information, coordinate resources, and take a more collaborative approach to addressing the problem.

In addition to the Coordination Centre, the government has also established a range of other initiatives to tackle the issue. These include the National Referral Mechanism, which is a framework for identifying and supporting victims of trafficking and modern slavery, and the Modern Slavery Helpline, which provides a confidential and anonymous reporting service for victims of exploitation.

The government has also introduced legislation to strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to these issues. In 2015, the Modern Slavery Act was introduced, which created new offences related to modern slavery and human trafficking. The Act also established a statutory duty for public authorities to identify and support victims of trafficking and modern slavery.

How These Forms of Exploitation Interrelate

These types of exploitation share common features:

• use of coercion and control
• manipulation of vulnerability
• concealment and secrecy
• overlap with peer, community, and online environments

For example:

• A young person exploited through county lines may be simultaneously subjected to CSE by associates.
• Criminal exploitation may involve sexual coercion as part of control.
• Online grooming can facilitate transition into physical exploitation.

Understanding these overlaps is critical in identifying risk and providing effective safeguarding responses.

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Risk Indicators: What to Look For

Professionals, families, and communities should be alert to signs that a child may be being exploited. Risk indicators can include:

Behaviour Changes

• sudden mood swings
• unexplained anger or irritability
• withdrawal from family or long-term friends
• changes in sleeping or eating patterns

School & Attendance Issues

• persistent lateness or absence
• unexplained drop in performance
• disengagement from school activities

Physical & Health Indicators

• injuries without clear explanation
• signs of substance misuse
• sexually transmitted infections
• pregnancy

Social & Contextual Patterns

• older associates or unexplained relationships
• unexplained travel or accommodation changes
• association with known gang/county lines locations
• multiple phones or unexplained money

Online Signals

• secretive phone or internet use
• sudden changes in social media groups
• engagement with unknown adults online

No single indicator confirms exploitation; patterns and context are key. Multi-agency information sharing enhances accurate identification.

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UK Legal and Policy Frameworks

Safeguarding responses to county lines, CSE, and criminal exploitation are supported by several UK laws, policies, and guidance documents:

Children Act 1989 & 2004

These Acts establish the welfare principle and the duty for local authorities to safeguard children’s welfare.

Sexual Offences Act 2003

This Act defines offences related to sexual activity involving children and is central to CSE prosecutions.

Modern Slavery Act 2015

Provides legal tools to prosecute trafficking and exploitation, including where coercion is involved.

Working Together to Safeguard Children

This statutory guidance outlines how organisations must work together to protect children from harm, including exploitation.

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)

Mandatory guidance for schools and colleges detailing safeguarding responsibilities, including recognising exploitation.

Police, Crime and Sentencing Act 2022

Strengthens powers addressing serious violence and includes measures relevant to contextual and extra-familial harm.

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Multi-Agency Responses and Safeguarding Practice

Effective safeguarding responses involve collaboration across sectors. Key steps include:

1. Identification and Reporting

Professionals and community members should report concerns using established referral pathways.

2. Risk Assessment

Assessments should consider:

• contextual risks (peer/places/online)
• family dynamics
• patterns of coercion

3. Information Sharing

Sharing information appropriately across agencies reduces blind spots and supports holistic understanding.

4. Safety Planning

This includes:

• tailored support for the child
• disruption of exploitative networks
• protective measures (school, home, community)

5. Prosecution and Enforcement

Law enforcement may pursue criminal charges under relevant offences.

6. Rehabilitation and Support

Therapeutic support, mentoring, and long-term follow-up can address trauma, build resilience, and prevent re-exploitation.

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Prevention Strategies

Effective prevention reduces the likelihood of exploitation:

Education and Awareness

• School curricula that include exploitation risks
• Online safety education
• Peer support programs

Community Safe Spaces

• Youth centres and supervised after-school activities
• Community policing and place-based strategies

Family Support Services

• Parenting programmes
• Resilience building
• Early intervention support

Trauma-Informed Practice

Understanding vulnerability and harm through a trauma lens helps reduce re-traumatisation and improves trust.

Conclusion

County Lines CSE and Criminal Exploitation are some of the most significant issues facing children and vulnerable adults in the UK today. These forms of exploitation are driven by organised crime groups that use violence, intimidation, and coercion to control their victims and exploit them for financial gain. The impact on victims can be profound and long-lasting, including physical, emotional, and psychological harm, as well as social and economic exclusion.

The UK government has taken steps to address these issues, including the establishment of the County Lines Coordination Centre, the National Referral Mechanism, and the Modern Slavery Helpline. The government has also introduced legislation to strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to these issues. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that vulnerable individuals are protected from exploitation and that perpetrators are brought to justice.

To understand how safeguarding, risk management and trauma-informed practice support responses to exploitation across the UK, explore our Criminal Justice & Exploitation page.

Related reading

• Safeguarding children in the UK
• Contextual safeguarding in the UK
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how they impact us
• Grooming, Coercive Control and Criminal Exploitation: How Control Is Maintained

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