I’ve made the following complaint to the BBC. How will they deal with it this time? I’ll let you know.

County Lines gangs, based in large English cities have been responsible for a spreading plague of extreme violence, more accessible and cheaper illegal drug supplies, child abuse, prostitution, people trafficking and the exploitation (cuckooing) of vulnerable adults in small-town UK, into places previously less affected by crime. Recent data reveal a surge in knife crime in rural and small-town areas in England and a recent surge in violent crime in similar areas in Scotland. Police Scotland estimates more than 50 County Lines gang activities in Scotland using children to carry the drugs on the railway system. Given the recent raids in Tarves, Aberdeenshire, population 1 000, the penetration may be even greater. This is a major, growing, crime phenomenon of major public interest. Media across the UK including, critically, the BBC, our public service broadcaster, from BBC Sussex to BBC Cumbria, has been regularly reporting incidents, specifically using the term ‘County Lines’ in headlines and naming the English cities where the gang is based. There are no County Lines gangs based in Scottish cities. BBC Scotland, in sharp contrast has only ever mentioned these gangs by name in two online reports since the gangs were first identified in 2018, on 18 October 2019 and 27 May 2021, more than three years ago, despite further surges in activity by these gangs. A major incident in Auchinleck in November 2023, where local youth drove out a Bradford-based County lines gang, was reported by BBC Scotland as an unexplained riot with no reference to the actual cause widely reported by local and social media. So, three questions for you. 1. Has there been an editorial decision by BBC Scotland News to avoid reporting on County Lines gangs? 2. Has there been an editorial decision by BBC Scotland News to avoid ever mentioning the English cities where these gangs are based? 3. Why is BBC Scotland, in sharp contrast to other BBC areas, not reporting on County lines gangs?