Good Afternoon All.

Your local Alcester South Police team has been engaging with schools to spread awareness around County Lines, the dangers and the signs to look out for.

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse.

We will continue to deliver our talks to students and teachers.

If you are ever worried about your child and feel something is not right, please make sure you contact the Police.

Here are some signs that parents and teachers can look out for in children.

*Travelling alone, particularly in school hours, late at night or frequently

*Looking lost or in unfamiliar surroundings

*Anxious, frightened, angry or displaying other behaviours that make you worried about them

*In possession of more than one phone

*Carrying lots of cash

*Potentially under the influence of drugs or alcohol

*Being instructed or controlled by another individual

*Accompanied by individuals who are older than them

*Seen begging in a public space.

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