Police pledge to halt ‘county lines’ drugs
County Lines drugs gangs in Shropshire communities can be tackled and new tactics are being developed to drive dealers out of the county.
The drugs gangs now have dealers in multiple towns across the county, with Oswestry and Shrewsbury being particularly targeted by the drugs gangs from Birmingham and Liverpool.
West Mercia Police are making progress with major players recently put behind bars, and Amanda Blakeman, the force's deputy chief constable said the force will get on top of the issue, but it may take time to deal with it.
She said: "I think it can be tackled. It is all about exploitation and these young and vulnerable people in our communities being targeted.
"We are always looking at new tactics to discourage this from happening within our communities.
"We are tackling it and putting resources into it, it is a priority area for the force.
"My message to the public is that we are tackling it and committed to tackling it, but it may take some time to deal with it.
"But I do think it can be tackled."
In Oswestry, youngsters at the Marches School and other schools have been targeted when walking to and from schools.
The force is continuing with its education and early intervention, but one of the biggest components to stop the issue according to the deputy chief constable is the help of the public.
She has issued a rallying call to communities to look out for one another, and for people to come forward with intelligence that can be used to put County Lines drug dealers behind bars.
She added: "What we do need is the help of the public.
"If you see someone's behaviour change or you see them being targeted by others, go and help.
"But also get in touch with us, we need the community to provide us with intelligence.
"They don't want this happening in their areas, so if you have information get in touch."
