FORTY-FIVE arrests were made and over £77,000 was seized from suspected criminal gangs as part of a dedicated week that saw co-ordinated action against county line offenders and safeguarding victims.

'County Lines Intensification Week' ran nationally from 11th to 17th October and saw operations, dedicated warrants, safeguarding of and visits to vulnerable people, as well as schoolchildren, to educate them on the issue across Lancashire.

During the week, 30 adults and 20 young people who had been identified as being vulnerable were engaged with, 39 men and six women were arrested, along with 13 people aged under 18.

Schools were visited across the county, with some sessions supported by charity, the JJ Effect, and former members of gangs to educate youngsters on the potential consequences of becoming involved in county lines.

Nine addresses believed to have been 'cuckooed' were also visited, with the occupants being signposted to local help services.

Over 636 cannabis plants, as well as quantities of cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine and mobile phones were also seized.

Force lead for County Lines at Lancashire Constabulary, detective superintendent Becky Smith said: “This week’s activity which was in conjunction with the national effort to target and disrupt those involved in organised crime is just a snippet of the work we do across Lancashire along with our partners in Health, Children’s Social Care and Education, day in day out, to tackle County Lines.

“We use this term to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’.

“Their activity is associated with violence, drug dealing and the exploitation of children and vulnerable people, to move drugs and money. They will also seek to establish a base in target locations, typically taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion.

"We have prioritised our approach to tackling county lines over the last few years putting our efforts into identifying those responsible as well as working with our partners to drive awareness in schools and to identify those vulnerable to this type of exploitation and implement effective safeguarding.

“We are committed to working alongside our partners and other forces to close down these lines, protect vulnerable people and remove those who exploit them from our streets.

“We will continue working in this way to disrupt anyone believed to be involved in county lines and will use all available powers to secure significant sentences against those who are responsible, using not just legislation around drug supply but newer legislation aimed at those involved in trafficking of children.

"Our intention is to make Lancashire an uncomfortable place for these criminals to operate.

“We need the public, especially those who care for or interact with children and vulnerable adults, to continue to work with us by understanding the issue and looking out for the warning signs.

“If you suspect there is drug dealing going on in your area, please report it to us.”

Read about the Eyes Open campaign and information on what to look out for at on a dedicated website www.eyes-open.co.uk

You can report information to us at reportitonline.lancashire.police.uk or by calling 101.

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. In an emergency, always dial 999.