Guidance: Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: county lines

This guidance outlines what county lines (and associated criminal exploitation) is, signs to look for in potential victims, and what to do about it. It does not provide information about the entirety of the county lines issue.

The document is a supplement to an organisation’s existing safeguarding policies, to help identify and protect those exploited through this criminal activity. It’s also aimed at:

• local partners in policing
• local authorities
• the voluntary sector

This guidance is part of the cross-government approach to ending gang violence and exploitation.