We are extremely keen to raise awareness of the connection between missing children and drugs trafficking. County Lines is the term used for a lucrative but highly dangerous racket sweeping across the UK where mobile phones are used by the youngsters to sell and transport drugs. Research indicates a high increase in this type of criminal activity since 2016. Children as young as 8yrs old are being coerced by gangs to smuggle drug supplies from inner cities to towns across the UK. The hierarchy predominantly prey on children in care or those with limited social ability on the most vulnerable spectrum. However, there is no jurisdiction on class and background because any child could potentially be targeted. There are a higher percentage of boys who are drawn into this culture than girls. Gang leaders take advantage of the fact children are less likely to attract police attention. Once involved, these children runaway from home, going missing for days at a time hundreds of miles away cooped up in a drug den. For more of an insight into the growing concern of the link between missing children and this type of violent exploitation and drugs trafficking, watch ‘8 Years Old and Smuggling Drugs’. The factual program is presented by acclaimed West London presenter, producer and host Aaron Roach Bridgeman on My5: https://www.my5.tv/8-years-old-and-smuggling-drugs/season-1/8-years-old-and-smuggling-drugs. Aaron investigates by talking to the youths directly involved and explores the reasons why young people are smuggling drugs and tries to find out how it can be prevented moving forward. Please also listen to Aaron’s Radio 1 interview discussing what is being done to boycott more children putting themselves at risk: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09pcrvj Ann Coffey MP has written a very informative blog on the subject of County Lines. She says “There is a recognition that this is the new grooming scandal and it has echoes of Rotherham and Rochdale. We must not make the same mistakes again of blaming children. Children and young people caught up in this brutal world are victims of criminal exploitation and not criminals.” She is determined to make better use of legislation to crack down on exploitation of children lured into violent criminal gang culture. http://anncoffeymp.com/archives/415 #DamiensLaw #COEMP #CountyLines