Rise in child drug runners recruited from small towns – research

County lines drugs networks taking on local children who are ‘easily groomed’

County lines drugs networks are increasingly recruiting children in provincial towns to sell drugs rather than trafficking youngsters from London and other major cities, research shows.

An analysis of case work with children involved with the distribution networks, which connect inner city drugs gangs to small towns, has shown that most are now recruited in the area where distribution ends, with youngsters from the city more often used to transport drugs.

Related: Blackpool struggles to kick heroin amid seaside deprivation

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from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2HxSffi