Multiple town properties shut down in major county lines drug operation

Multiple properties connected with drug dealing have been shut down in a joint operation police and council operation. Officials said the closures were the highest number the authority had secured in just one day.

The operation, between Melton Borough Council (MBC) and Leicestershire Police, led to a series of closure orders in connection with county lines drug dealing granted on Wednesday (January 29). The Leicester Magistrates Court order impacted five properties in the centre of Melton.

Three of these order ban anyone from entering the properties for three months, with the option to extend for a further three months. A partial closure order - which stops anyone except the residents from entering the property - was issued against a fourth home.

READ MORE: Where in Leicestershire people are most likely to possess knives as crimes soar

A previously-issued temporary closure on a fifth property was also extended by the court. Officials at MBC said the closure orders were the greatest number it had ever secured in a single day. Anyone breaching the orders can be arrested and, if convicted, can face a jail sentence or a fine. The locations of the affected properties has not been disclosed by councillors.

County lines drug dealing involves drug dealers in major towns and cities setting up networks for the supply and sale of drugs in smaller towns and rural areas. Often young or otherwise vulnerable people are used to carry, store, and sell the drugs, and can be coerced into the the activity through intimidation and threats. One of these forms of control exploits vulnerable people by using their home as a base for dealing drugs, a process known as "cuckooing". Dealers often convince vulnerable people to let their home be used for drug dealing by giving them free drugs or offering to pay for food or utilities.

Chairwoman of the Safer Communities Partnership Councillor Sarah Cox welcomed the closures. “This shows that issues of County Lines are not only within big cities, they are very real issues across the country and offenders target locations such as Melton too," she said.

"This can lead to devastating impacts on the safety of our communities and those who are exploited and caught up in this appalling crime. We will not tolerate this activity in our borough and we hope these closure orders send a strong message that we will take swift action to disrupt and tackle these issues, ensuring we protect our vulnerable residents from these gangs.

"This has been a very time-intensive process, with a lot of work behind the scenes, and we have worked tirelessly with our partners at Leicestershire Police over the last few weeks to ensure we were able to gather all the necessary evidence to execute the orders efficiently. Our officers have been working with those affected by these gangs and offering tailored support to individuals, including providing security equipment to households through our target hardening scheme. We will continue to support our residents and take any necessary action needed in the future, including tenancy action.

Inspector Darren Richardson, commander for the Melton and Rutland Neighbourhood Policing Area, added: “In recent months we’ve received several reports concerning drug activity and anti-social behaviour at a number of addresses. We understand that such behaviour can have a significant impact on the lives and wellbeing of our community and it’s completely unacceptable.

“I’m grateful to our colleagues at the council for their collaboration in obtaining this order. By taking necessary action we’ve been able to prevent this behaviour from continuing and I’d like to thank the people of Melton for the information they’ve passed on to us.”

Signs someone may be involved in county lines drug dealing

• Repeatedly going missing from school or home and being found in other areas;

• Having money, new clothes or electronic devices and not being able to explain how they paid for them;

• Getting high numbers of texts or phone calls, and being secretive about who they're speaking to;

• Decline in school or work performance;

• Significant changes in emotional or physical well-being.

Signs which may indicate someone is a victim of cuckooing

• Frequent visitors at unsociable hours;

• Changes in your daily routine;

• Unusual smells coming from a property;

• Suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles outside an address.

How to report drug dealing to the police

Incidents can be reported to the police by calling 101 or by reporting online. Anonymous reporting is available through Crimestoppers. If it’s an emergency, where someone is in immediate danger, always call 999. More information is available online.

We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first