Hundreds of county lines drug arrests across West Midlands

West Midlands Police arrested a boy aged 13 in one raid

Hundreds have been arrested by police across the West Midlands region in relation to county lines drug dealing.

The West Midlands, Staffordshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire forces made more than 200 arrests and seized drugs with a street value of more than £1.5m.

County lines gangs exploit children as drug runners between urban areas and smaller rural towns.

The crackdown was part of the National County Lines Intensification Week between 7 and 13 March.

Forces across the UK carried out synchronised raids seizing cash, drugs and firearms from properties used to run drug operations.

Breakdown of arrests

• West Midlands Police arrested 109 people from the force's patch, seized drugs with a street value of close to £1m and £20,000 in cash. Officers recovered weapons including a Taser and a crossbow

• West Mercia Police arrested 50 people in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, seized drugs with an estimated street value of £62k and recovered more than 20 weapons such as air-rifles, knives, a crossbow, baseball bats and swords

• Warwickshire Police arrested 29 people across the county, seized drugs with a street value of more £400,000 and recovered a firearm

• Staffordshire Police held 25 people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and found drugs with a street value of more than £215,000

The "county line" is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. During the week, police seized numerous mobile phones around the region to break the chain of communication.

A key reason for the week-long initiative was to stop the exploitation of children, young people and vulnerable adults, many of whom are dependent on the drugs.

Det Supt Syed Hussain, of West Midlands Police, said a boy aged 13 had been arrested after running from officers in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham.

Heroin, crack, marijuana and cocaine were seized across the region in large quantities

The boy also threw a kitchen knife at officers, the detective said. He added the boy's mother had been in contact with police after she had noticed her son's behaviour change.

"It's heart-breaking a child that age has already been dragged into such a dangerous drugs scene, one where he's at risk of serious harm," said Det Supt Hussain.

Police are hoping to educate people about county lines operations.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Cooper, of West Mercia Police, said: "Our officers have conducted many visits to schools, social care providers, health professionals and other important community groups."

He added the visits had been to provide information on what to look out for and how to spot the signs of cuckooing.