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September 2019 September 2019

DORSET COUNCIL- WEST PURBECK REPORT

County Lines
Dorset authorities are asking
residents to look out for signs of
criminal activity that crosses
“county lines” and help protect
young people from being
exploited by criminals this summer.
Dorset Police, NHS Dorset Clinical
Commissioning Group, Public
Health Dorset, the Youth
Offending Service and Dorset
Council are working together to
tackle child exploitation, including “county lines” – which involves drug dealing
networks using children to connect urban and rural areas across the UK, residents
are being asked to keep an eye out and report any concerns.
Some of the signs of exploitation and county lines involvement are:
 A child or young person going missing from home or significant changes
in emotional well-being
 A person meeting unfamiliar adults or a change to their behaviour
 The use of drugs and alcohol
 Acquiring money or expensive gifts they can’t account for
 Lone children from outside of the area
 Individuals with multiple mobile phones, tablets or ‘SIM cards’
 Young people with more money, expensive clothing, or accessories
than they can account for
 Unknown or suspicious looking characters coming and going from a
neighbour’s house
 Relationships with controlling or older individuals or associations with
gangs
 Suspicion of self-harm, physical assault or unexplained injuries
Agencies in Dorset have been working together to improve the way intelligence is
collected, shared and acted upon to tackle child exploitation. A multi-agency
steering group has been set up to strengthen partnership working and protect
vulnerable children and young people.
Sarah Parker, Executive Director for Children at Dorset Council, chairs the steering

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