Day of targeted action against county lines gangs

A day of coordinated action targeting drug dealing activity and associated exploitation saw arrests made, weapons seized and vulnerable people safeguarded.

Our Operation Raptor officers, who work solely on the issue of county lines activity in Essex, joined forces with safeguarding and prevention teams, alongside Eastern Region Special Operations Unit.

On Saturday 18 October, as part of safeguarding visits to those identified as potentially being vulnerable to exploitation by county lines gangs, four referrals have been made into partner agencies.

Two key arrests were also made in relation to suspected drug dealing activity.

Our officers were carrying out patrols in Harlow, when they spotted a young man riding an E-bike wearing a face covering.

Due to recent issues of offending relating to the use of E-bikes in the area, the officers detained him for the purposes of a stop and search.

A phone with messages indicative of drug supply and a small sum of cash were recovered.

A second man was seen approaching the area, visibly turning away once he spotted the officers.

He was also detained for a search, which uncovered a quantity of cannabis.

A further search at an address in Harlow saw various items – including a box of cannabis, further mobile phones and a zombie knife – seized by our officers.

Leon Stevens-Bynoe, 19, of Ladyshot, Harlow, has subsequently since been charged with possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

He remains in custody until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 6 November.

A 20-year-old man, from Harlow, has been questioned on suspicion of drug dealing offences and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

He remains on bail with conditions attached.

This work was funded by the National County Lines Coordination Centre.

Funded by the home office, the centre aims to bring together law enforcement activity on this issue across the country.

'In support of our ongoing work'

Acting Detective Inspector Karen Osborne, who works in our Prepare, Protect, Prevent team, said:

“We are grateful for this extra funding to assist with days of action in support of the good work going on across the force.
“The fact we have a number of teams working solely on the issue of county lines exploitation and drug crime should give the public confidence that this is a priority issue for us.
“If we disrupt those engaged in organised drug dealing, we simultaneously bring down incidents of violence across the county. The two are linked.
“It’s not all about enforcement, we’re innovative in our approach in that breaking the cycle of exploitation and forced labour is at the forefront of our work.
“Many caught up in county lines activity need to be treated as victims, as criminals know they can use the vulnerable – often impressionable or easily manipulated children – to do their dirty work.”

Are you worried that a friend or someone you know may be being exploited through County Lines or organised criminal activity?

Maybe they are returning home late, staying out all night or even going missing for days or weeks at a time.

Are they suddenly being secretive about who they are talking to or where they are going?

Or perhaps you’ve noticed they have large amounts of money on them, or new clothing, jewellery or phones they wouldn’t be able to afford.

Through Fearless, young people can pass on information 100% anonymously to get help.

If you need help from police, call 101 or, if it's an emergency, always call 999.