Reporting County Lines Exploitation of a Child
County lines is a specific form of child criminal exploitation where criminal gangs use children to transport drugs and money from cities to smaller towns and rural areas. Children are often groomed, coerced, and threatened into carrying out this role. They may be sent to a different city or county, kept in a property against their will ('cuckooing'), and subjected to violence. This is modern slavery and a serious crime.
Immediate danger — call 999
If you believe a child is being held against their will, has been transported out of their area, or is in immediate danger, call 999 now.
What to report
- •A child who is going missing to locations outside their home area
- •A child in possession of multiple mobile phones, especially 'burner' phones
- •A child using language associated with drug dealing that is unfamiliar to their community
- •A child who returns home with injuries, withdrawn behaviour, or signs of being controlled
- •Adults in a child's life who appear to control their movements or have given them unexplained money or gifts
How to report
Police — 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency)
When to use
Whenever you have concerns that a child is involved in county lines activity
How to contact
Call 101 and ask for the child exploitation or organised crime unit. Provide as much detail as possible: the child's name and age, any known contacts, phone numbers, vehicles, or addresses involved.
What to expect
Police will assess the information and refer to specialist teams. County lines cases often involve multiple police forces working together. The child will be referred to children's services and may be placed on a child protection plan.
Fearless (anonymous youth reporting)
When to use
When a young person wants to report county lines activity anonymously — including about themselves or their friends
How to contact
Visit fearless.org or call 0800 555 111 (Crimestoppers' youth strand). Fearless is designed for young people and takes anonymous reports from those aged under 18.
What to expect
Fearless passes intelligence to police without identifying the reporter. Young people can report without fear of being named to the people they are reporting about.
Crimestoppers — 0800 555 111
When to use
When you have intelligence about the criminal gang involved and want to remain anonymous
How to contact
Call free on 0800 555 111 or report online at crimestoppers-uk.org. Give as much detail as possible about the gang's operation.
What to expect
Anonymous tip-offs are passed to the relevant police force. No caller ID is retained. Information from Crimestoppers has led to many county lines prosecutions.
Modern Slavery Helpline — 08000 121 700
When to use
When you want to initiate a formal victim identification process and access specialist support for the child
How to contact
Call 08000 121 700 (free, 24/7). County lines exploitation is classified as modern slavery under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. A formal referral via the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) gives the child access to a support programme.
What to expect
The NRM process results in the child being assessed as a potential victim of trafficking. If accepted, they receive specialist support for at least 45 days. Police and children's services are automatically notified.
School Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
When to use
When the child is school-age and the school is not yet aware of the concern
How to contact
Contact the school's DSL and share your concerns. Schools should have CCE and county lines indicators in their safeguarding training.
What to expect
The DSL will refer to children's services and may liaise with police. School can also put additional safeguarding measures in place and monitor the child's attendance, which often deteriorates during county lines involvement.
Evidence checklist
Gather this information before or during your report. Do not delay reporting while collecting evidence — but preserve what you can.
- Notes on the child's recent absences, especially overnight or multi-day absences
- Mobile phone numbers used by the child, especially unfamiliar numbers
- Vehicle descriptions and registration plates associated with adults picking up or dropping off the child
- Addresses in other areas the child has mentioned or been seen at
- Physical descriptions of adults involved in transporting or contacting the child
- Any injuries sustained by the child after returning from absences
What to say
You do not need to use a script, but this template may help if you are nervous about making the call. Adapt it to your circumstances.
"I am reporting concerns that a child aged [age] is being exploited through county lines. The child has been going missing to [area / unknown locations] since approximately [date] and returns [with unexplained money / with injuries / appearing frightened]. I believe adults who go by [names / descriptions] are involved. I have noted [phone numbers / vehicle details / addresses]. I want this referred to specialist county lines investigators."
What happens next
Police will assess and may open a joint investigation with other forces. The child will be safeguarded — which may include emergency placement away from their home area if they are in immediate danger. The National Referral Mechanism will formally identify the child as a trafficking victim. Prosecutions of county lines gangs often take months but do result in significant sentences.
What not to do
- ✗Do not confront the people controlling the child — county lines gangs are often violent
- ✗Do not remove the child from their environment without a safety plan in place — this can trigger reprisals
- ✗Do not assume the child's denials mean they are safe — groomed children routinely protect their exploiters
- ✗Do not share your suspicions on social media — this can alert the gang
Frequently asked questions
The child says they are just visiting friends in another city — how do I know if it's county lines?
Key indicators include: going to unfamiliar locations, returning with cash or phones they cannot explain, becoming evasive or defensive, having new older 'friends' who cannot be accounted for, and returning looking frightened or injured. Trust your instincts and report if you are concerned.
What if the child has already committed offences as part of the exploitation?
Children exploited in county lines are victims first. The statutory guidance recognises that they cannot consent to exploitation. Police and the CPS have guidance to avoid prosecuting child victims of exploitation where the offences were committed as a direct result of the exploitation.
Sources and further information
- Home Office — County Lines Guidance — Home Office
- Fearless — Anonymous Youth Reporting — Crimestoppers
- Modern Slavery Act 2015 — UK Parliament
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19. This page provides general educational information, not legal or professional safeguarding advice. UK helplines and legislation may change — verify current details with the relevant organisation.