Thirteen arrested during week of action targeting County Lines gangs

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team carried out a week of operations against county lines drug gangs, between Monday 17 May and Friday 21 May.

During the week of action, 11 warrants were executed at addresses in Stevenage and Walkern, by the Mantis team, supported by Local Policing Command officers. Warrants were also served at addresses in Birmingham, with support from West Midlands Police. Thirteen arrests were made in total, with seven of those being charged.

During the operations more than £32,000 was seized, as well as significant amounts of class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).

Forces across the UK carried out similar operations with support from the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC) and Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, as part of a national drive, to disrupt and arrest those involved in County Lines.

Detective Inspector Alex Willcox, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: ‘This latest week of action is part of our continuing drive to disrupt and dismantle County Lines gangs operating in the county. We have made a number of significant arrests, seizing large amounts of drugs and cash in the process, doing substantial damage to these gangs’ operations.

‘We take a very proactive approach, working with our partners in other forces and national agencies to make it difficult for these organisations to operate in our towns, identifying new gangs and targeting them early before they get a foothold and serious offences can occur.

‘Police forces across the country took part in the coordinated week of action to target those who are involved in drugs supply and exploiting vulnerable people. We continue to work with partners at national and local level, to target these gangs and also to raise awareness of County Lines among young people, parents, teachers and other members of the community to help protect the vulnerable and prevent them from getting involved in gang activity.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary via the non-emergency number 101 or report information online at www.herts.police.uk/report.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.