55% rise in drug arrests amid purge on county lines gangs

Cressida Dick
PA
WEST END FINAL

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Arrests for drug trafficking in London have leapt by 55 per cent since the lockdown began after a Met purge on criminal networks fuelling “mayhem and misery” on the capital’s streets.

New figures released today show that 2,232 people have been held for supplying drugs and related offences between March 16 and May 20.

That compares with 1,431 arrests during the same period last year — an increase of more than 800 over the two months. Charges have risen by even more, up 143 per cent, with 841 brought in the past two months, compared with 346 over the same time in 2019.

A decline in overall crime during the lockdown has given the Met more time to focus on drug traffickers. At the same time, the restrictions on movement have made it harder for networks to operate. Today’s announcement came as the Met also revealed that 87 “line holders” who have been exploiting teenagers to ferry drugs to users in London and elsewhere have been arrested in a Met purge on “county lines” networks.

The aim has been to dismantle their networks completely and to stop linked robberies, stabbings and other crimes, as well as protecting the children and older teenagers who are frequently used to carry drugs to clients for them.

A total of 183 charges have been brought and 18 have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to more than 50 years in prison between them.

Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the focus on those running drug networks followed an analysis showing that charges in more than 20 murders, 270 robberies and many firearms offences involved more than 1,900 people linked to “county lines” networks.

@martinbentham

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