The Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership has helped put together a new resource to help schools, train operators and youth workers prevent children being groomed and exploited by drug trafficking gangs.
The short film, which was developed in partnership with Worcester Cathedral, Platform, the Clewer Initiative and Mothers’ Union, highlights how gangs coerce young people to transport drugs for them using the railway, which is known as ‘County Lines’.
The Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership have supported the development of the film as part of their aim to engage with local communities to improve rail within the county.
The film will enhance training to CrossCountry and other train operators’ staff and show the general public how young people can get caught up in this criminal activity, how they can spot signs of exploitation and where help and support can be found.
A National Crime Agency report from 2019 suggests that the rail network is used to facilitate 40% of county lines drug running.
Further data from the government’s County Lines Programme shows that between April 2022 and January 2023, over 1,000 lines were closed down and more than 2,500 people being referred for safeguarding support.
Watch the video here:
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