Launch of ‘Eyes Open’ campaign to combat Child Criminal Exploitation and County Lines

Today marks the launch of Eyes Open, a campaign to raise awareness of child criminal exploitation and county lines.

Eyes Open educates young people, their parents and carers, about the dangers of grooming, exploitation, and the deceptive tactics used by county lines gangs.

County lines refers to the networks criminal gangs use to distribute drugs from cities to smaller towns and rural areas.

These operations rely heavily on the exploitation of children and young people to transport and sell drugs across different locations. Once the child is dependent on the gang, they are coerced into criminal activities, often with threats, violence and manipulation. Families and loved ones of the child are also threatened.

Eyes Open has been co-developed by police forces in Greater Manchester, North Wales, Lancashire and Merseyside, alongside the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) and Kent & Medway Violence Reduction Unit.

Research commissioned by Eyes Open has revealed that while most parents are familiar with the term county lines (76%), only 39% made reference to children, vulnerable people or exploitation, with many saying it was simply “the transportation of drugs” and “drug dealing.”

The campaign highlights the predatory nature of gangs and how they groom children through gifts or a sense of belonging. It also empowers parents and young people to recognise the signs of exploitation and where they can go to for support.

New campaign resources show how there is always a catch to ‘free’ gifts like designer clothes, vapes or expensive bikes.

The campaign will feature across social media, digital channels, directly with partners and through educational workshops to reach young people and their parents and carers.

The Eyes Open website offers a hub of information for young people, their parents and carers and professionals looking for advice, guidance and resources.

The campaign was developed through extensive research, focus groups, and lived experience case studies, ensuring it accurately represents the diverse experiences of those affected.

Superintendent Chris Bell, Head of Serious and Organised Crime, North Wales Police said: “Sadly, young children and vulnerable adults are often groomed by gangs to run drugs from one area to other parts of the country. This grooming is often followed by extreme violence and coercive behaviour. This is a serious problem which needs attention to protect children and young people from being exploited.

“Operation Draig – North Wales Police’s partnership approach to tackling serious and organised crime is committed to preventing child exploitation and that is why we are pleased to be combining efforts with our colleagues across the North West and Kent to target county lines gangs who are operating in the area.

“By raising awareness of the signs of county lines we can hopefully educate young people, their parents and carers about the dangers of grooming, exploitation, and the deceptive tactics used by county lines gangs.

“We will not waver in our determination to stop the exploitation and associated harm caused. Through the deployment of targeted specialist resources, our mission remains to identify and safeguard those who are being exploited and relentlessly pursue those who have targeted them.

“Anyone exploited by these gangs will be safeguarded and supported.”

Detective Inspector Adam Norton, National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) Coordinator for the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: "As we launch the Eyes Open campaign today, we stand united in our commitment to protect our children and young people from the devastating impact of county lines exploitation.

“This campaign is a crucial step in educating our communities about the deceptive tactics used by criminal gangs and empowering parents, carers, and everyone else who encounters young people to recognise and combat these threats.

"Everyone has a responsibility to stay vigilant and protect the most vulnerable in our communities from harm. By joining forces, we can drive the response needed to break the cycle of exploitation and build a safer, more informed future for all."

Each police force involved in the campaign carries out dedicated county lines operations to disrupt criminals and safeguard victims of exploitation. Since 2019, police forces closed more than 5,600 lines nationally and referred 8,800 individuals to safeguarding services. [1]

The police treat all children involved in county lines as potential victims and work with a range of partners to put safeguarding measures in place to get exploited people out of harm’s way. 

Eyes Open supports the work of police and partners by raising awareness of county lines, encouraging communities to spot the signs and be more informed to help break the cycle of exploitation and grooming.

If you believe that someone may be being exploited in this way, you can give information 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers, an independent charity. Crimestoppers is not the police. Anonymous means your identity is completely unknown.

If you think someone is in immediate danger, always dial 999.

To keep your Eyes Open about exploitation, please visit https://eyes-open.co.uk/

[1] County Lines Programme data - GOV.UK