Children being exploited to sell drugs, warn police, after huge rise in arrests

The number of children arrested for drug dealing has reportedly risen by more than a quarter over the last five years.
Police fear children are being exploited by gangs as drugs runnersPolice fear children are being exploited by gangs as drugs runners
Police fear children are being exploited by gangs as drugs runners

A total of 2,097 under-18s were detained last year for supplying drugs or possession with intent to supply, compared with 1,639 in 2013, according to figures quoted in the Guardian.

The figures, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, cover 24 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales.

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Children as young as 12 were reportedly arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.

The rising numbers have prompted concerns about young people being exploited by gangs to sell drugs in out-of-town areas - a practice known as 'county lines'.

"At the moment I wouldn't say [county lines trading] is endemic but it's certainly a problem and we have done significant disruptions," he said.

Rhiannon Sawyer, the Children's Society's area manager for children and young people's services in Greater London, told the paper her staff had noticed more children being targeted to deal drugs, some as young as 12.

"The level of violence (around county lines trading) is getting worse."