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I wanted to provide an update regarding drug dealing / drug use, which some members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. County lines is the term to describe drug dealing where mobile phones are used to supply drugs, typically from large cities to towns and rural areas. Often, young vulnerable children are used to carry and deliver the drugs, sometimes involving carrying weapons. This cycle leads to serious violence in our communities.
The week of intensified action during the last week in June [Monday, 23 June to Sunday, 29 June] saw uniformed proactive officers join forces with Safer Neighbourhood teams and detectives in East Area, all working together determined to disrupt organised crime and safeguard victims.
During the week officers carried out multiple warrants, leading to the recovery of a firearm, ammunition and cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £180,000.
This operation saw an increase in patrols across Havering, Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham utilising ANPR and resulting in a number of vehicle stops and subsequent searches. Interactions led officers to recover quantities of drugs and cash.
A call for police in Romford saw officers from the proactive team and Police Dog Unit assist Romford Town Centre officers following a fight. Two weapons were recovered including a samurai sword. A number of boys were arrested in relation to this incident for affray and possession of an offensive weapon. They remain under investigation.
In another interaction, officers in Havering attempted to stop a car suspected to be involved in drug supply, which was lost and later found abandoned. Recovered from inside was cannabis, a baseball bat, large amounts of cash and an electronic device used in motor vehicle theft.
In Redbridge, a search of a residential address on Liston Way, Woodford, officers discovered a cannabis factory in a 9th floor flat. 100 plants were seized with a street value of approximately £100,000. Officers also found the electricity meter had been tampered with, risking the safety of other residents in the building.
In Dagenham, officers carried out a warrant in Malpas Road, recovering a firearm and magazine containing 8 bullets. A 33-year old man was arrested and subsequently charged for firearms offences. He has been remanded in custody and due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court later this month.
In Havering, officers recovered 80 cannabis plants in a residential property in St Georges Avenue, Hornchurch with a street value estimated at £80,000. A 42 year old man was arrested and subsequently charged. He has pleaded guilty to the offence of production of cannabis and awaits sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court later this month.
Focusing on county lines is also about engagement and providing education to the public around the dangers. This includes how to spot the signs of this exploitation, preventing those most vulnerable from being manipulated at the hands of criminals.
Officers from Havering took part in community roadshows with the local authority in Harold Hill and Romford Town centre. This was an opportunity to talk about the subject of county lines as well as the effects of anti social behaviour. Officers also spent time with year 6 students taking part in Junior Citizens week, providing inputs around the dangers of drugs and county lines exploitation.
DCI Jackie Sweeney for East Area’s proactive said:
“Criminals involved in drug lines will exploit children and vulnerable adults, leaving them trapped into carrying and selling drugs away from their homes. With our teams collaborating together we were able to be ambitious in our policing activities. The results were impressive, making the boroughs we police that much safer.
“Working with our communities is vital in making them safer places but we do need your help.
“If you have information on crime or anti-social behaviour where you live, we ask that you report this either directly to an officer, online at www.met.police.uk or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”
For more information about how the Met are tackling County Lines: https://news.met.police.uk/news/met-police-shut-down-over-100-county-lines-in-major-crackdown-on-organised-crime-gangs-499099
To read more information advice about county lines visit: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines
 We are committed to tackling drug dealing wherever we find it. We will keep you updated on our efforts to do this in your area, but if you have any concerns or evidence, it is important you report this as soon as possible. If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Get Involved Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
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