POLICE have hosted a multi-agency event in a bid to protect children and vulnerable adults who are being ‘used and abused’ in Ceredigion by organised crime groups to extend their drug-dealing business.

‘County lines’ is an emerging national issue, where organised crime groups from urban areas such as London, Liverpool and Birmingham put children and vulnerable adults between themselves and the risk of detection by manipulating them into carrying and selling drugs.

Runners are sent across county boundaries to areas like Aberystwyth, Lampeter and Cardigan to deliver and/or sell Class A drugs at the other end of the line.

Dyfed-Powys Police is committed to tackling the drug-dealing and violence associated with these gangs, but alongside enforcement Operation Guardian aims to identify the vulnerable people who are potentially coerced and forced into committing crime by urban gangs, and to put measures in place that protect not punish them.

Detective Chief Superintendent Shane Williams said: “Our number one priority is to protect vulnerable people, and this includes children, who can be as young as 12 years old, and the vulnerable adults who are ruthlessly exploited by urban gangs to do their dirty work.”

DCS Williams added: “If your neighbour or tenant is suddenly having many more visitors to their property and at unusual times of the day and night, or you notice that their curtains or blinds are almost always shut, it could be because their home has been taken over by a drug-dealing gang.

“We’re not asking partners or the public to provide evidence or even to be absolutely certain of what they have seen or experienced, just that if they are in any way concerned that they report it to the police or anonymously with Crimestoppers.”

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