West Yorkshire Establishes Dedicated Taskforce to Combat County Lines Crime

West Yorkshire police force has received £1 million of government funding to set up a specialist policing unit focused on tackling county lines drug running, a practice where gangs transport illegal drugs into different counties using dedicated 'deal lines'. This development is part of the government's County Lines Programme, which aims to put an end to this violent model of drug supply that often exploits children. The taskforce will target drug running in and out of the region, protecting those exploited by the trade.

Key Takeaways:

• A £1 million government funding will be used to establish a specialist policing unit within West Yorkshire police force to target county lines crime.
• The dedicated taskforce will focus on disrupting the illicit enterprises of gangs involved in transporting illegal drugs.
• The taskforce will also provide specialist support for victims, expanding its services across Leeds and Bradford.
• Since July 2024, work by taskforces funded through the national County Lines Programme has led to over 1,200 line closures and over 2,000 arrests, resulting in the charging of over 800 criminals controlling lines.
• Catch22 will provide specialist support services to the region, helping vulnerable people and children who are exploited by the trade.
• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that county lines crime is a "heartless" trade that exploits children and teenagers, and the government is committed to protecting them.
• Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jones stated that the dedicated taskforce in West Yorkshire will build on the work already done in tackling county lines crime, making a greater positive impact on the community.
• West Yorkshire police made 28 arrests and closed 2 lines as part of a national County Lines Intensification Week, safeguarding 26 people and seizing £9,000 of Class A drugs and over £100,000 in cash.
• The government's Safer Streets mission aims to halve knife crime in the next decade, and tackling county lines crime is crucial in delivering this commitment.
• The expansion of the County Lines Programme comes as part of the government's Safer Streets summer initiative, which will target town centre crime, including shop theft and antisocial behaviour.

Statistics:

• £1 million: Government funding for the taskforce
• £1.3 million: Total funding for the County Lines Programme in West Yorkshire
• 1,200: Number of line closures since July 2024
• 2,000: Number of arrests since July 2024
• 800: Number of criminals charged for controlling lines
• 28: Number of arrests made by West Yorkshire police in a national County Lines Intensification Week
• 2: Number of lines closed by West Yorkshire police
• 26: Number of people safeguarded
• £9,000: Amount of Class A drugs seized
• £100,000: Amount of cash seized
• 500: Number of town centres signed up to the Home Secretary's Safer Streets summer blitz

Sources:

• M2 PressWIRE (July 7, 2025)
• M2 Communications (RDATE:04072025)