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Recent statistics highlight a troubling trend in the exploitation of girls and young women within the county lines drug trafficking networks. According to data from Catch22, a charity operating the national county lines support service, the proportion of female victims has surged to 22% of its total caseload in 2025, a significant increase from 15% in the previous year. This alarming rise underscores the urgent need for a more nuanced understanding of the dynamics of criminal exploitation.
Gendered Perspectives on Exploitation
Catch22’s findings point to a critical gap in services designed to support victims of county lines exploitation. The charity has emphasised that existing frameworks often fail to adequately recognise the experiences of girls and young women, who may not be seen as obvious victims within the context of criminal exploitation. Marike van Harskamp, the charity’s head of policy, highlighted that many services are informed by a “gendered understanding” that tends to focus predominantly on male victims.
“Involvement in county lines and child criminal exploitation often presents differently for girls,” van Harskamp explained. “Their pathways to victimisation are frequently more complex, involving overlapping issues that can include mental health challenges and histories of trauma.”
The “boyfriend model” is one particularly insidious method through which girls are drawn into criminal activities. This grooming tactic mirrors that of child sexual exploitation, wherein young women are led to believe they are entering into a romantic relationship, only to find themselves coerced into illegal operations such as drug transportation.
Government Initiatives and Law Enforcement Response
In response to the growing crisis, the government has intensified its efforts to dismantle county lines operations. Recent data indicates that in 2025, law enforcement successfully shut down 2,740 county lines, charged 1,657 gang leaders, and confiscated 961 knives as part of its ongoing anti-drug initiatives. The government has also committed over £34 million to the county lines programme for the current year, aiming to bolster these efforts further.
Det Supt Dan Mitchell, who heads the national county lines coordination centre, reaffirmed that combating this issue remains a top priority for police forces nationwide. “As the tactics of county lines gangs evolve, so too must our policing strategies,” he stated. “Our commitment is to target the most harmful operations and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.”
Despite these efforts, experts like van Harskamp caution that the fight against county lines exploitation is far from over. She stressed that early identification of at-risk youth is essential, particularly given that some victims can be as young as seven.
The Role of Mental Health in Exploitation
The intersection of mental health and vulnerability plays a crucial role in the experiences of those ensnared by county lines gangs. Van Harskamp noted that many victims are already facing challenges such as mental health issues, substance misuse, or unstable living conditions, which make them more susceptible to exploitation.
“Understanding the context of each individual’s life can reveal additional vulnerabilities,” she remarked. “Those who are not properly engaged in education or who have unsafe peer relationships are particularly at risk.”
The long-term impact of trauma on mental health is profound, and it often perpetuates a cycle of exploitation. As van Harskamp highlighted, the need for specialised mental health support for victims is paramount. “We know there is a direct correlation between poor mental health and barriers to education, training, or employment, which ultimately affects life chances and social mobility.”
Why it Matters
The rising number of girls becoming victims of county lines exploitation is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding modern criminal activity. As society grapples with these challenges, it is imperative that we broaden our understanding of victimisation to include the nuanced experiences of young women. Without tailored support and intervention strategies, the cycle of exploitation will continue, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable individuals. Addressing these issues is not only a moral imperative but also a crucial step in safeguarding the future of our youth.
