""County lines is where strangers, or gangs, or those involved in criminal activities try to use children for their own benefit," explains Leo Powell, a county lines educator. He was carrying out a role play with the children about grooming. "I've bought some food for him, he thinks we're friends, so now I say, "you owe me money', explains Mr Powell to the class. "That's called debt bondage.""
"They may be given a phone to take and deliver drug orders in different counties, known as a "line". These phone lines are run by gangs who exploit vulnerable adults and children, even as young as these children, who often face threats and violence. "We need to get in there early," Mr Powell told BBC News. "They are in shallow water at this age, 9,10,11 years old. But if we get to them too late, by the time they are 15,16,"
A group of 10-year-old pupils in north London are taught not to accept food from strangers because free food can be used to groom them into county lines drug activity. Gangs use gifts or food to create debt bondage, set children up to be robbed, then coerce them to sell drugs in other areas using mobile phones called "lines". High local poverty, low incomes and temporary housing increase susceptibility. Threats and violence are commonly used. Early preventive education is emphasized to reach children before adolescence, when involvement can become deeper and parental control may be lost.
Read at www.bbc.com
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