Exploring Police approaches to 'victims' and 'offenders' in the context of county lines drug networks in the UK

• In Event: Conceptualising and applying vulnerability policing: Innovative methodologies and problem-based solutions.

Abstract

In the UK, county lines is the term given to the practice of drug dealers from urban areas travelling to smaller towns to sell Class A drugs. The county lines distribution model typically involves gangs recruiting vulnerable young people to transport and sell drugs in different police and local authority areas.
This presentation will draw upon the first national survey of UK police forces on their practices in relation to county lines. We will explore how Police Officers have attempted to delineate between ‘victims’ and ‘offenders’, and how they navigate the contested areas in between. The presentation will focus on how the victim/offender status can shift in the eyes of the law as young people transition into adulthood. Victims of exploitation can play a key role in the recruitment and exploitation of other vulnerable people within county lines networks. Conceptually, the presentation explores the complex and often overlapping notions of vulnerability and culpability. In doing so, we can begin to better understand the challenges facing the police, partner agencies and the criminal justice system, as they devise strategies and procedures to safeguard vulnerable young people who become involved in county lines networks.

Authors

• Chris Devany, University of York

• Ross Coomber, University of Liverpool

• Charlie Lloyd, University of York

• Kate Brown, University of York

• Tobias Kammersgaard, University of York