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16
Feb 2021
Arrests soar as 'county lines' investigations continue
Almost 140 people were arrested across the Harrogate area in the last six months of 2020 as police investigations into county lines drugs continued.
North Yorkshire Police has prioritised the crime through Operation Expedite, based in the town, to deal with drug dealing and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
As a result, 137 arrests were made between July and December 2020. Of those, nine people have been jailed for a total of almost 23 years. Sentences ranged from six months for possessing class A drugs to five years and four months for supplying class A drugs.
The number represents a significant rise towards the end of last year. An investigation by the Stray Ferret last year revealed there had been 88 arrests since 2018, including 30 in the first nine months of 2020.
Detective Sergeant Tom Barker, who has worked on the Operation Expedite team for the past three years, said:
County lines crime often sees vulnerable people, including children, exploited by criminals using violence and intimidation. They are known for 'cuckooing', the term used for taking over someone else's home to deal drugs, and often give the person free drugs in order to create a 'debt' which can be used to the criminal's advantage.
Officers on Operation Expedite say the number of arrests made last year shows that drug dealing is not welcome in the Harrogate district and will be dealt with strongly, even during lockdown.
Read more:
- Police to 'clamp down' on rising criminal activity in Ripon
- Rise in fraud and stalking reports as North Yorkshire crime rates fall
Superintendent Steve Thomas, Commander for the Harrogate, Craven, Richmondshire and Hambleton areas, added:
North Yorkshire Police is asking the public to remain vigilant for signs of drugs crime or exploitation. It said typical signs of trouble in young people could be an indication that someone is being exploited, such as going missing, having unexplained money, clothes or phones, or receiving high volumes of calls or messages.
Any change in emotional well-being, or spending time with new, older friends, could also be an indication that someone is being targeted.
Meanwhile, neighbours who notice an increase in visitors at a property, growth in anti-social behaviour, curtains being closed for long periods or unfamiliar vehicles coming and going could also be witnessing cuckooing.
To report suspicious activity, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or, to report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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