In the Daily Record today:

The numbers of children being ruthlessly exploited by ‘county lines‘ drugs gangs are at record levels, the Daily Record can reveal. County lines operate where criminals from major cities have expanded their trafficking operations into smaller towns often in rural areas.

Organised crime groups have been known to use children as mules to transport the drugs long distances or to store or guard them. Shock figures released by Police Scotland under Freedom of Information (FOI) show a sharp rise in the numbers of children falling victim in the last six years.

In the 12 month period from April 2020 to March 2021 there were six cases of children under the age of 16 being ‘county line’ victims. However that number had risen to 39 in 2025/26.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/shock-rise-children-being-used-37353759

The Record is careful to avoid any mention of England or to name the ‘major cities’ but their choice of expert, Michele Janes of Barnardos (above) reminds me of this from BBC Scotland in March 2026:

Charity workers have raised concern about the number of vulnerable youngsters in the Highlands being targeted big city drug dealers from England. Barnardo’s staff say they’re being exploited and threatened by County Lines drug gangs in Inverness. The charity runs the Anchor project in the City, which is trying to help tackle the problem. Police reckon 12 organised crime groups are operating in the Highland capital.

BBC Scotland, in their BBC breakfast insert this morning, with a second only explicit mention of where the County Lines drug gangs are from.

I must say, I’m puzzled by this openness after 7 years of refusing to say ‘England’ in drug gang reporting, especially as we approach an election. Are they hoping they can contain this in one place?

Talking-up Scotland has reported on English drug dealers operating in Shetland, Thurso, Wick and Tarves in Aberdeenshire.

We’ve reported on them in Dumfries and in Auchinleck. There seem no reason to think they are not now, after, nearly a decade, everywhere, in your town.

In October 2025, The National Police Chief’s Council reported:

Covering the period from April 2024 to March 2025, the latest County Lines Strategic Threat Assessment found that there are over 6,500 County Lines in operation across England, Scotland and Wales.

https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/annual-county-lines-report-threat-remains-stable-but-business-model-used-by-perpetrators-continues-to-evolve

From their County Lines Strategic Threat Risk Assessment also in October 2025:

County Lines is the supply of drugs at the retail end of the market, where violence and exploitation are an intrinsic part of the model. These lines continue to impact the entirety of England, Scotland and Wales.….The top impacted forces (importer) this year are Cheshire, Kent, Northamptonshire, Scotland and South Wales.

https://www.npcc.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/publications/publications-log/national-crime-coordination-committee/2024/county-lines-strategic-threat-assessment-2025_web_accessible.pdf

So, 6 500 over the country, Scotland more impacted by the trade than some other parts and 12 in Inverness alone? At least 600 probably more county lines across Scotland?

Another plague? Covid, Measles, Meningitis, Used chip fat theft, Reform UK…..the case for border controls?