THREE people have been arrested as part of a crackdown on county lines gangs exploiting children and coercing them into dealing drugs.

Yesterday, police carried out simultaneous early-morning drugs warrants at homes in Burnley and Padiham as part of an operation, arresting three people on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class A drugs, with officers also finding phones, cash and heroin with an approximate street value of £35,000.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Zeeshan Khan, 23, of Russell Terrace, Padiham; Mitchell Brookes, 19, of Nairne Street, Burnley; and a 17-year-old boy from Burnley; were all charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

DI Martin Melvin, who leads on Child Exploitation in East Lancashire, said: “The work carried out as part of the county lines intensification week has been hugely successful and has been a great example of all functions of policing in East Lancashire working together to disrupt organised crime and protect the most vulnerable members of society.

“Although this work came as part of a week of action, we will continue to target organised criminal gangs who seek to exploit children into dealing Class A drugs.

"We are also committed to working with our partners to put intervention measures in place to stop youngsters being dragged into this miserable and violent lifestyle.”

Among the officers involved in the arrests were targeting teams, Engage, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the Exploitation Team and response officers.

As well as targeted pro-active work, officers worked alongside partner agencies to provide intervention activities aimed at reaching youngsters before they become victims of county lines.

These included talks in schools provided by Parents Against Child Exploitation, engaging with vulnerable families and ensuring key contacts, such as taxi drivers, are aware of the signs of county lines.

Although the signs of county lines grooming can be hard to see, according to police they include having a new phone, a new bike, new clothes, new friends, new habits and new attitudes.

Child victims also frequently go missing, use nicknames to refer to other people, have a new controlling girlfriend or boyfriend, disengage from school, and often have unexplained injures.

Anyone worried about a young or vulnerable person can find out more by visiting eyes-open.co.uk.