YOUTH RESPONSE MONTHLY

Published: 03 August 2023

Youth Response Monthly

 We have helped and supported many youths over this time as groups and on an individual basis such as home visits giving support and guidance. During the summer holidays we will be in Hall Garth park at 1pm for fun and games, please come and join us. We hope to continue our good work and if you need more information or advice, please contact us on youthresponceteam@hornsea.gov.uk .

Focus this month is on…….County Lines.

This is purely intended for information purposes and not to cause any undue concerns or that this is a major issue in Hornsea. Although it is always a good thing to be aware of issues that affect the youths in any rural/coastal town.

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse. County lines gangs are highly organised criminal networks that use sophisticated, frequently evolving techniques to groom young people and evade capture by the police. County lines activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.

To counter this problem, early intervention is essential. We invest in raising public awareness of this crime in the local community, encouraging people to step forward and report it. Signs to look out for with our young people are: -

•              persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area;

•              unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones

•              excessive receipt of texts / phone calls and/or having multiple handsets

•              relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups

•              leaving home / care without explanation

Here are a few websites with more information or you could send us a message on the above email and we can give you more details.

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/keeping-safe/community-family/county-lines

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/863323/HOCountyLinesGuidance_-_Sept2018.pdf

https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/drug-trafficking/county-lines