Recent statistics reveal a disturbing trend in the realm of county lines exploitation, with a significant increase in the number of girls and young women being identified as victims. According to data released by the charity Catch22, which operates the national county lines support service, females accounted for 22% of their caseload in 2025, a notable rise from 15% in the previous year. This alarming shift underscores the urgent need for a re-evaluation of how society understands and addresses the complexities of this form of exploitation.
The Complexity of Victimhood
Catch22 has been at the forefront of the government’s efforts to combat the criminal networks that transport drugs from urban centres to rural areas, often exploiting vulnerable young people in the process. The county lines programme, initiated in 2019 and maintained across governments, aims to dismantle these gangs, which frequently use dedicated phone lines to facilitate their operations.
However, the charity has pointed out that a “gendered understanding” of this issue is limiting the recognition of girls and young women as victims. Marike van Harskamp, Catch22’s head of policy, emphasised that the prevailing perception often associates criminal exploitation exclusively with boys, thereby obscuring the experiences of female victims.
“Part of the problem is that there is a very gendered understanding of criminal exploitation and county lines, that it only concerns boys,” van Harskamp stated. “It often means girls are not properly identified.”
Grooming Practices and Vulnerabilities
The pathways through which girls become embroiled in county lines exploitation are often more complex than those for their male counterparts. A prevalent method of grooming, described as the “boyfriend model,” mirrors tactics used in child sexual exploitation. Young women may be lured into what they perceive as a romantic relationship, only to find themselves coerced into criminal activities, such as transporting drugs and cash.
Catch22’s data reveals a stark contrast in the support received by different genders. While approximately 50% of boys referred to their service were aided through the National Referral Mechanism—an initiative intended to assist modern slavery victims—only about one in six girls received similar support. This discrepancy highlights a critical gap in the system that needs immediate attention.
Government Actions and Continued Challenges
In response to the growing crisis, the government has reported significant progress in dismantling county lines operations. In 2025 alone, police forces closed 2,740 county lines, charged 1,657 gang leaders, and seized 961 knives. With an investment of over £34 million earmarked for the county lines programme this year, authorities are committed to intensifying their crackdown on such activities.
Det Supt Dan Mitchell, who leads the national county lines coordination centre, reaffirmed the police’s dedication to addressing this evolving issue. “As county lines gangs’ methods evolve, our policing approach does too,” he noted. “We remain committed to pursuing high-harm county lines and those controlled by violent drug dealers, so that we can prevent harm, protect children and vulnerable adults, and disrupt criminal activity.”
The Importance of Early Intervention
The need for early identification of risk factors associated with county lines exploitation cannot be overstated. Gangs often target individuals with existing vulnerabilities, which may include mental health issues, substance misuse, and unstable living conditions. As van Harskamp pointed out, the longer these vulnerabilities go unaddressed, the greater the likelihood of young people becoming entrenched in cycles of exploitation.
Moreover, the trauma inflicted by such experiences can lead to long-lasting mental health effects. “There needs to be specialist mental health aftercare for victims of exploitation,” van Harskamp asserted. “We know there is a relationship between poor mental health and not being in education, training or employment, which has dire consequences for life chances and social mobility.”
Why it Matters
The rising incidence of female victims within the county lines framework serves as a critical reminder of the complexities surrounding exploitation and the urgent necessity for a nuanced approach to victim support. As society grapples with these challenges, it is imperative that we foster a deeper understanding of the experiences of all young people caught in these predicaments, ensuring that no victim is overlooked. Addressing these issues not only protects the most vulnerable but also strengthens the fabric of our communities against the pervasive threat of organised crime.
