County Lines
County Lines
How exploitation really works, and how to beat it
KS3 · The Safeguard Hub · Press F11 for full screen, scroll for next slide
A question
Someone offers you £50 to take a bag to the next town. No questions asked.
Take it? Refuse it? Ask questions? Vote now. We'll vote again at the end.
What is county lines?
City drug gangs selling into smaller towns, using a dedicated phone line for orders.
And using people your age to carry the drugs and take the risk, while they keep the money and stay safe.
Step 1: The gift
Money. Food. Trainers. Lifts. Attention.
It feels like friendship. Nothing is asked for. Yet.
Step 2: The ask
"Just hold this for me." "Just drop this off."
Small favours, for someone who has been generous. Saying no feels rude. That is the design.
Step 3: The debt
A package goes "missing". You get "robbed".
It was staged. Now you owe money you can never repay, and you are told you must work it off. The debt is a trick.
Step 4: The threat
Try to leave, and the threats start. Against you. Against your family.
Everyone trapped at step 4 once thought step 1 was just friendship. Spot the pattern early and walking away is easy.
What the law says
A child forced to carry drugs is a victim, not a criminal.
The Modern Slavery Act gives exploited children a legal defence. The person who should fear the police is the one running the line.
Warning signs in a friend
A secret second phone. Unexplained money or trainers. Older "friends" and unknown cars. Going missing, turning up in other towns.
Not sure? Tell an adult anyway. Let them find out gently.
If it has already started
It is not too late. You are not in trouble. You are not the first.
The gang wants you to believe telling someone makes it worse. Telling someone is the only thing that ends it.
Where to get help
999 in an emergency. Childline 0800 1111, free and private.
Fearless.org, completely anonymous. Or any trusted adult in school, today.
The £50 bag
Same question as the start. Take it, refuse it, ask questions?
Who changed their vote, and why?
Aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice. This resource is for education and prevention. It is not legal advice. In an emergency always call 999.