A Blackburn author has been selected as a finalist in the People’s Book Prize with her second children’s story tackling the subject of county lines.
Christina Gabbitas, who is also an honorary member of the NSPCC Council, wrote Trapped in County Lines, to shed light on the issue, which is a huge problem across Lancashire and other parts of the country.
Lancashire Police state that: “County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs. They often use dedicated mobile phone lines or other forms of ‘dealer lines’.”
The force says that county lines gang activity is highly associated with violence, drug dealing and exploitation and has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.
Gangs will criminally exploit children and vulnerable people, and can force them to move drugs and money.
They will also seek to establish a base in target locations, typically taking over the homes of vulnerable adults by force or coercion, known also as ‘cuckooing’.
People exploited in this way will quite often be exposed to physical, mental, and sexual abuse, and in some instances will be trafficked to areas a long way from home as part of the network's drug dealing business.
Trapped in County Lines, which is the sequel to Christina's previous title, No More Lives, County Lines, focuses on a group of friends who tragically fall victim to this type of grooming and exploitation; ultimately leading to devastation, with one character losing his life to a senseless stabbing and another going missing.
Christina said: “This gripping tale serves as a wake-up call to the harsh realities of county lines.”
As an advocate for child protection, Christina has also been working closely with various police forces, visiting schools throughout the county to raise awareness about the dangers of grooming and exploitation.
This includes working with Blackburn with Darwen police with her first children’s crime book, No More Knives, County Lines, to help tackle knife crime in the area.
In 2019 Christina won a best achievement award with her story, Share Some Secrets, that encourages children to speak up about abuse.
When asked about the impact of Trapped in County Lines, Christina said: “It's reassuring to know that my story is creating a positive impact.
“I hear so many heart-breaking stories of children and young people being groomed and exploited into county lines. Exploitation can happen to any child anywhere.
"We need to concentrate more efforts on education and early intervention."
The recognition as a finalist in the People's Book Prize, in addition to it being voted Book of the Week at the NSPCC, is testament to Christina's storytelling abilities and her commitment to protecting children.
Head of knowledge and information services at NSPCC, Karen Childs-Smith said: “It is inspiring to hear Christina speak with such passion about her work developing the book in consultation with young people and visiting schools to raise awareness of the dangers of getting involved in county lines.”
Christina is also working alongside Childline with some online content surrounding the topic.
During a week of police intensification to tackle county lines in October 2023, 39 men and five women were arrested in Lancashire, along with six people under the age of 18.
Thousands of pounds worth of class A and class B drugs were seized along with thousands in cash, 40 mobile phones, and 17 weapons.
Police also visited 40 addresses suspected of being used for cuckooing.
In November, Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham called for extra government support for Lancashire Police to tackle county lines gangs exploiting children to peddle drugs.
In the House of Commons, Mr Higginbotham told Home Secretary James Cleverly: "In Burnley and right across Lancashire, county lines continue to be a problem with organised groups peddling drugs, exploiting young people, with no regard for the harm they’re doing, not just for the community but the young people they’re exploiting too.
“Now Lancashire Police are making really good inroads with an enhanced road policing unit and with neighbourhood taskforces.
"But could you set out what more the Lancashire Constabulary can do to tackle county lines and bring order back to our streets?”
Mr Cleverly said: "As part of our fight against county lines we’re investing up to £145 million in our county lines programme.”
In December, the government announced an extra £390 million in funding for Lancashire Police, which was backed by Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.
The proposed package for 2024-25 could see a total of up to £18.4 billion pledged to support the police to cut crime, tackle anti-social behaviour and pursue county lines gangs.
Since the county lines programme was launched nationally in 2019, police activity has resulted in more than 4,700 county lines being closed – more than 14,800 arrests – and over 7,200 safeguard referrals.
To vote for Christina in the People’s Book Prize, visit: https://peoplesbookprize.com/summer-2023/trapped-in-county-lines/
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