Recent statistics from Catch22, a charity that oversees the national county lines support service, indicate a worrying trend: a significant rise in the number of girls and young women being recognised as victims of county lines exploitation. In 2025, this demographic accounted for 22% of the charity’s caseload, a notable increase from just 15% in the previous year.
The County Lines Crisis
County lines are a form of drug trafficking where gangs transport narcotics from urban centres to rural areas, frequently exploiting vulnerable young people to carry out their operations. The government has implemented a comprehensive county lines programme aimed at dismantling these criminal networks, which has seen cooperation between various stakeholders, including law enforcement and charities such as Catch22.
The initiative, which began in 2019 under Conservative leadership and has continued with Labour, seeks to disrupt the operations of these gangs, which often use dedicated phone lines to facilitate their illicit activities. Yet, despite the programme’s apparent success—evidenced by the closure of 2,740 county lines and the arrest of 1,657 gang leaders in 2025 alone—Catch22 highlights a critical gap in the identification and support of female victims.
Gendered Misunderstanding of Exploitation
Catch22’s head of policy, Marike van Harskamp, asserts that a “gendered understanding” of criminal exploitation has led to the under-recognition of girls as victims. While approximately half of the boys referred to their services received assistance from the National Referral Mechanism, only about one in six girls were similarly supported.
“The misconception persists that criminal exploitation primarily concerns boys,” van Harskamp explained. “This oversight can prevent girls from being properly identified and supported. Their experiences often involve more complex factors, including emotional grooming through relationships that mask the coercive nature of their exploitation.”
One prevalent method of exploitation involves what is known as the “boyfriend model,” where girls are groomed under the guise of a romantic relationship, only to be manipulated into transporting drugs and money.
The Broader Implications of County Lines
The government’s ongoing efforts have yielded significant results, but experts warn that the exploitation of young people is far from eradicated. Van Harskamp highlighted the importance of recognising county lines exploitation as a form of child abuse, noting that children as young as seven are being groomed into these criminal activities.
“The longer we fail to address the issue comprehensively, the more we risk the mental health of these children, who may suffer long-term trauma from their experiences,” she stated. “We need to invest in specialist mental health support for these victims to break the cycle of exploitation.”
Gangs frequently target individuals with pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as mental health issues, substance misuse, or unstable living conditions. Social media platforms like Snapchat are increasingly used to initiate contact, further complicating the landscape of this form of exploitation.
The Police Response and Future Challenges
Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, who leads the national county lines coordination centre, emphasised that addressing this issue remains high on the agenda for police forces nationwide. He stated, “As the tactics employed by county lines gangs evolve, so too must our policing strategies. Our commitment is unwavering in pursuing those engaged in high-harm activities, particularly those controlled by violent drug dealers.”
The police’s adaptive approach, coupled with increased funding—over £34 million earmarked for the county lines programme—demonstrates a robust commitment to tackling this complex issue.
Why it Matters
The escalating identification of girls as victims of county lines exploitation reveals a critical need for a more nuanced understanding of the issue. As the landscape of criminal exploitation continues to shift, it is imperative that society recognises the unique challenges faced by young women and girls. Failure to do so not only perpetuates cycles of abuse but also undermines efforts to secure a safer future for our youth. Addressing these gaps in support and understanding is essential for safeguarding the wellbeing and potential of vulnerable individuals caught in these devastating circumstances.
