County lines crackdown leads to 180 arrests

Forces across the region took part in the operation

A crackdown on cross-border drug dealing in the North East and Cumbria has led to more than 180 arrests.

Police said "ruthless" dealers were exploiting children and young people and making them become drug mules.

Warrants were issued, deals disrupted and drugs seized as those responsible were targeted this week, police said.

A spokesman for the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) said 90 people were safeguarded in the region as a result.

Large quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis were also seized, along with significant amounts of cash and weapons including guns, machetes and swords.

In Cumbria, officers seized £10,000 from under the driver's seat of a car that had travelled into the county.

Overseen by the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC), the operation involved officers from the Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham and Northumbria forces, as well as prison services, charities and safeguarding authorities.

Educational sessions were also delivered in schools, shops, universities and other community venues, while visits were made to vulnerable people as part of the campaign.

Officers patrolled Middlesbrough's bus station as part of the operation

NEROCU's regional county lines co-ordinator Ian Randell said the work had delivered "great results".

He added: “Educating young and vulnerable people on the dangers of county lines and the exploitation that comes with it, is also a crucial part of our work and it was great to see the large number of vulnerable people safeguarded as part of this week of action."

Det Ch Insp Andy Myers, of the Cumbria force, said the focus would remain on diverting children and young people away from a way of life that was "massively damaging.”