Campaign warns Lanarkshire youngsters about dangers of criminal gangs moving drug operations to their area

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A campaign warning Lanarkshire youngsters of the dangers of criminal gangs setting up drug-dealing operations outside their usual area has been launched.The initiative by Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, highlights the risks posed by 'county lines.'Teaming up with British Transport Police, Police Scotland and Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, the organisation is urging young people and adults in Lanarkshire to speak up anonymously with information.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android County lines is when criminal gangs set up a drug-dealing operation outside of their usual patch, moving their dealing from big cities across the UK to smaller towns in Scotland in order to make more money.Young, often vulnerable, people are forced to transport cash and drugs all over the country, often by train, so that the serious criminals behind them remain detached and are less likely to be caught.Drug gangs will then set up a new base in a rural area for a short time, often forcibly taking over the home of a vulnerable person and using local youths to act as dealers for them.This is having a "massive impact" on Scotland’s towns and cities - and on the young people and adults being exploited.The campaign, also supported by Network Rail and ScotRail, will use a series of impactful anonymised true stories