Arrests and drugs seized in county lines crackdown

Police have seized drugs and made five arrests as part of an operation targeting county lines gangs.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police executed warrants at 36 properties in Scarborough, Selby, Richmond and Harrogate across a seven-day period.

Det Supt Fionna McEwan said while the county "remains one of the safest places in the country" gangs were still operating in the region.

Urging members of the public to report any suspicious activity, she said: "The information maybe the missing piece of the jigsaw that helps us to further protect our communities."

County lines refers to the movement of drugs from usually bigger cities to small communities and often involves the exploitation of vulnerable people.

During the week of action, officers also made checks at homes where people may have been subjected to "cuckooing" - when a perpetrator takes over a person's home and uses the property for criminal activity.

Det Supt McEwan added: "I want to thank the fantastic partners we work with every day who help build intelligence, educate young people, protect those people who are being exploited, and target the offenders running these lines.

"It is the strength of the partnership that makes the difference."

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