POLICE in Teignbridge and the rest of Devon have launched a campaign to help smash the established drugs supply into the region from other parts of the UK.

Senior officers are raising awareness of urban gangs tapping into local communities by using dedicated mobile phone lines… a practice known as County Lines.

The racket exploits children or vulnerable adults to move and store drugs, often through coercion.

It is now a national trend with sophisticated crooks using the County Lines operating model across Devon and Cornwall.

Det Supt Antony Hart (right), announced: ‘This week we are launching our County Lines campaign and as part of an ongoing commitment to tackle this phenomenon. We are appealing to the public to spot the signs within their communities.’

He warned: ‘Our recent policing activity over the last year shows that our counties are not a safe haven for drugs supply chains – and anyone coming to the area intending to be involved in drugs will face prosecution.’

And he revealed: ‘County Lines gangs will often target children and young people, women and vulnerable adults to deliver drugs and money between locations.

‘An operating base is also an essential feature of the County Lines criminal model. Gangs will regularly exploit vulnerable people, forcing them to build up a debt or using threats of violence in order to take over a person’s home, a practice known as cuckooing.’

He added: ‘We recognise that County Lines drugs supply is a problem that cannot be solved by the police alone. We will continue to work with our partner agencies and our communities to tackle the issue, sending a clear message to drug suppliers that they are not welcome in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.’

County Lines indicators to look out for include:

* A child or young person going missing from school or home or significant changes in emotional wellbeing.

* A person meeting unfamiliar adults or a change to their behaviour.

* Use of drugs and alcohol.

* Acquiring money or expensive gifts they can’t account for.

* Lone children from outside of the area.

* Individuals with multiple mobile phones or tablets or ‘SIM cards.’

* Young people with more money, expensive clothing, or accessories than they can account for.

* Unknown or suspicious looking characters coming and going from a neighbour’s house.

* Relationships with controlling or older individuals or associated with gangs.

Police can be alerted on [email protected] or by calling 101.

Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 can also be used.