Context
Rural areas are being targeted by drug gangs, with up to 70,000 young people trafficked. In the constituency, trusted adults provide drugs to young girls in dance schools and vulnerable adults are controlled at home.
Question
What steps is the Minister taking to help tackle drug dealing in rural communities? It is well known that rural and seaside areas are targeted by drug gangs. Escapeline has assessed that up to 70,000 young people, some as young as six, are being trafficked. In my constituency, I have recently dealt with young girls who have been provided with drugs by trusted adults in dance schools, where no action is taken, because those adults are not seen as requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service check, and with vulnerable adults who are being controlled in their homes, where there has been no response at all from local police, because my small towns are simply not seen to be a priority and resources are directed elsewhere. How can I offer reassurance to my communities that their small towns are not being forgotten?
Answer from The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)
Through the county lines programme, we continue to target exploitative drug dealing gangs wherever they operate, including in rural areas. Since the Government took office, the county lines programme has closed over 400 drug lines running across communities in England and Wales. Specific resources are available to police forces to be surged into tackling county lines. I encourage her to have a conversation with the police and crime commissioner and chief constable about what more can be done to get that resource into the towns she talks about.
Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details on how rural areas will receive additional resources or support, other than encouraging local engagement with police forces.
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