UK Police Disrupt 335 County Lines in Nationwide Crackdown

Seizures and Assets Confiscated

A nationwide initiative targeting the UK’s county lines drug trade has resulted in the disruption of 335 criminal networks, leading to 2,180 arrests, the seizure of over 10,500 wraps of class A drugs, and the protection of nearly 800 children. The operation, managed by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), involved synchronized raids in England, Wales, and Scotland, with Hampshire Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police Service as key participants. Officials described the county lines model as a highly organized structure for drug distribution and child exploitation.

Over 15,000 cannabis plants, £1.5m in cash, and 121 firearms were confiscated during the operation. Additional assets included gold bars, gold teeth, and luxury items, reflecting the financial scale of these networks. Firearms, bayonets, and machetes were also recovered, highlighting the violent nature of the criminal activities.

Protecting Vulnerable Children

The operation prioritized safeguarding children exploited by county lines gangs. Nearly 800 minors were identified during raids, many forced into drug distribution. The NCLCC reported a 8% decrease in children recorded as being used by gangs in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 2,659. The Home Office estimates that approximately 15,500 children were identified as at risk of child criminal exploitation in the year ending March 2025.

County lines gangs have adapted their methods to evade law enforcement. While traditional lines—dedicated phone networks for drug distribution—remain common, there has been a significant rise in social media lines. According to the NPCC’s Annual County Lines Report, the number of social media lines reported increased from 89 in 2025 to 429 in 2026. These lines use encrypted apps and online platforms to facilitate drug distribution, particularly for cannabis and so-called ‘party drugs’ like ketamine.

Funding and Operational Success

The County Lines Programme Surge Fund, which provides additional funding for forces outside main taskforces, has contributed to recent successes. Since July 2025, the Surge Fund has led to the closure of 225 lines and 1,325 arrests. This funding supports operational efforts in areas not already receiving dedicated funding from the County Lines Programme.

Despite the scale of the recent crackdown, county lines remain a persistent threat. The NCLCC reports that over 6,500 lines are currently active across England, Scotland, and Wales, with the number of lines increasing from 4,503 in 2020/21 to 6,544 in 2024/25. While law enforcement efforts have disrupted some networks, the adaptability of criminal gangs and the continued exploitation of vulnerable children suggest that the fight against county lines will require sustained investment and innovative policing strategies.