Four county lines closed as Bedfordshire Police make arrests and seize weapons and cash in crackdown

Thirteen people have been arrested, and four county lines closed as part of a week-long crackdown on drug networks operating across Bedfordshire.

The County Lines Intensification Week, which ran from 23 to 30 June, is a national initiative aimed at dismantling drug supply lines and protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.

During the week, officers seized suspected Class A and Class B drugs, five knives, five other weapons, 28 mobile phones and more than £36,000 in cash.

One of the key operations was a warrant executed in Bedford in the early hours of Tuesday (24 June), targeting a network suspected of supplying heroin and crack cocaine. Two men in their 20s were charged with drug offences and possession of criminal property.

Alongside enforcement activity, police also ran community engagement events in schools, at transport hubs, and via pop-up stands to help educate young people and the public about the signs and dangers of county lines.

Lost boys

The operation followed the recent launch of Bedfordshire Police’s ‘Lost Boys’ campaign, which highlights how children and young people can be groomed into county lines and other forms of exploitation.

The campaign features a bespoke virtual reality film about a 14-year-old coerced into running drugs, which has already been shown to more than 400 local schoolchildren.

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Detective superintendent Graham Bates said: “County lines activity continues to be a major driver of serious violence and antisocial behaviour affecting our communities.

“Dismantling these networks is vital to keeping people safe, and last week’s efforts reflect the wider work underway to tackle serious and organised crime in Bedfordshire.

“But we can’t do it alone, and we’re urging residents to continue reporting concerns and suspicious activity to us. Your information could be key to helping us disrupt these criminal operations and protect those most at risk.”

For more on the ‘Lost Boys’ campaign, including how to spot and report signs of county lines activity, visit beds.police.uk.