County lines gang members who ‘have been through the justice system in England’ target vulnerable women in Highlands months before they do same in England?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0031c4c

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I watched the above. We are, technically, still in Britain. All of these tragic events took place in England. There was not one mention of Scotland. There should be. Here’s why:

County lines gang members who ‘have been through the justice system in England’ target vulnerable women in Highlands months before they do same in England?

From BBC Leicestershire 12 March 2026, the above and:

A youth worker has warned girls in a market town are being lured into drug running by gangs operating across county lines. Kate Champneys has worked with several teenagers in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, who she said were groomed with gifts and affection. Champneys, of the Engage Youth and Family Service, which supports vulnerable young people, said: “They’ll end up being runners for the men who get hold of them, they’ll give it to them and ask them to drop it off somewhere. That’s happened a lot in Melton.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg88ww79v4o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D

I’m surprised to be reading of this kind of thing so late in the day, after at least 10 years of County Lines gangs operating across the UK.

Why?

In September 2025, BBC Highlands and Islands had the above and:

County lines gangs are forcing vulnerable women into joining networks supplying crack cocaine and heroin to the Highlands and Islands, a senior detective has warned. Det Ch Insp Craig Still said criminal groups based in major UK cities were sending associates north to co-ordinate drug dealing.

He told BBC Scotland‘s Scotcast that the suspects were often young men known for violent offences in their home cities. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0xdxdl40o

Funnily enough, Det Ch Insp Still seems to have said something a wee bit different, more geographically precise, to the ears of the Daily Record reporter listening to the same interview:

They tend to be individuals who have been through the justice system IN ENGLAND, may have convictions for violence. They may have gang connections and they may regularly be in possession of weapons.” https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/gangsters-sending-teen-drug-dealers-to-terrorise-highlands-as-overdose-deaths-rise/ar-AA1MZ4Mx?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Funny that, eh? It’s almost as if BBC Scotland have an agenda.

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More recently:

Inverness Sheriff says county lines gangs from England exploiting vulnerable women and children must be stamped out then spares them jail – got at?

In the P&J, two days ago, the report on the left suggests a puzzling change of heart by a senior judge. It’s really difficult to understand this given what he said in July, on the right, and what it must have been based on:

Police report a notable increase in drug offences in Inverness. Gangs target the region because of demand, less competition, and vulnerable people. Cases involve women and sometimes children being coerced into the networks. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy0xdxdl40o

How widespread and how damaging have county lines gangs been in the Highlands?

They are not as pervasive as in major English cities or urban Scotland, but their impact is disproportionately damaging due to the region’s vulnerabilities. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy0xdxdl40o

The harm extends far beyond drug sales, involving exploitation, violence, and community disruption:

Exploitation of vulnerable people:

  • Heavy targeting of vulnerable women for “cuckooing” — taking over their homes to store/sell drugs and sometimes forcing them into dealing. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy0xdxdl40o
  • Children and vulnerable adults used as runners or mules; cases documented in the region.

Drug supply and health harms:

Violence and crime:

  • Linked to intimidation, weapons, and serious organised crime. Gang members often have prior violent/gun crime records. Increases in associated offences like theft, assaults, and exploitation.

Community and social effects:

Are they all from England?

Police Scotland consistently identifies the gangs as coming from urban centres in England, particularly:

  • London
  • Liverpool (Merseyside)
  • Birmingham (West Midlands)
  • Derby and other Midlands areas

These groups send associates (often young men in their late teens or early 20s with histories of violence) north to set up operations, import drugs, and exploit locals. https://www.highland.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/78251/3_police_-_area_performance_report

The organising gangs and “line holders” are typically from English cities, they recruit or coerce local Scottish facilitators, vulnerable residents (including women and sometimes children in the Highlands), and runners. Some lower-level operatives or cuckooed home occupants are from the local area. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy0xdxdl40o

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