Two arrests in High Peak in county lines drugs operation

Two people in Buxton, and a total of five across Derbyshire, were arrested as part of a county lines drugs operation. 

A 40-year-old man from Buxton was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and has been released under investigation. 

A 29-year-old woman from Buxton was arrested on suspicion of Actual Bodily Harm (ABH), theft and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs. She has also been released under investigation. 

It came as the result of an investigation into an alleged county line operation between Manchester and Buxton. 

A warrant was conducted at a house on Fairfield Road, where 60 grams of what was believed to be amphetamine was found - along with cash and a number of knives. 

The three other arrests were in Derby. A 27-year-old man from Derby was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and has been released under investigation. Officers arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs in the Derby area on 18 September.

Derbyshire Constabulary officers also worked with officers from Greater Manchester Police and British Transport Police to target key train routes into Derbyshire from Manchester, focusing on the line through Buxton, Glossop and New Mills.

It was part of a national 'county lines intensification week', which took place from 14 to 20 September, as teams from north and south of the county targeted gangs involved in the selling of class A and B drugs. 

There was also targeted work around making sure those working and using public transport are aware of the signs of people being involved in county lines drug dealing – as well as taxis being used by gangs to traffic children and drugs around the region.

Detective Inspector Matt Croome, who oversees the team in the south of the county, said: "Each and every day our officers and staff are working to disrupt and deter county lines drugs dealing in Derbyshire.

“However, the national weeks of action show just how much work goes on across the country to help protect our communities.

“Across the county we have seen fantastic work to detect and disrupt the drugs supply into Derbyshire which is at the heart of many different crimes.”

Detective Inspector Gareth Smethem, who runs the team in north Derbyshire, said: “With two major cities on our northern borders we work closely with our colleagues from both South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

“During the week of action officers worked with their counterparts in the British Transport Police and Greater Manchester Police to target the train line from Manchester through Buxton, Glossop and New Mills.

“We know that public transport is used as a means to transport vulnerable young people and drugs across borders and I would urge everyone who uses local bus and train routes to be on the lookout for the signs of county lines.”

Police have also issued the following advice for the public in spotting the signs of county lines on public transport: 

• Children, sometimes as young as 12, travelling long distances alone.
• Young people travelling either very early or late in the day – or during school hours.
• They may be unfamiliar with the local area or have an accent that is not local.
• Are they travelling the same route on a regular basis (once or twice a week)?
• Receiving excessive texts or calls.
• They may appear sleep deprived.
• Are they wearing unusually expensive clothing or jewellery?

Anyone who has concerns that a child may be involved in a county line but the danger is not immediate are being urged to contact police using any of the below methods: 

• Facebook – send a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

• Twitter – direct message the contact centre on @DerPolContact

• Website – complete the online contact form at derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

• Phone – call 101.

People can also learn more about the #LookCloser campaign and learn about support for young people who are involved in county lines drug dealing by visiting www.childrenssociety.org.uk/look-closer.