County Lines Information for Foster Carers

What Is County Lines?

County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where organised crime groups use dedicated mobile phone lines (known as “lines”) to sell drugs, usually from large cities into smaller towns, rural areas, or coastal communities. The groups often exploit children and vulnerable adults to transport, store, or sell drugs on their behalf. Although the activity is criminal, children involved are often victims of exploitation rather than willing participants. It is important for foster carers to understand County Lines information and the associated risks in order to safeguard young people effectively.

How County Lines Work

Criminal gangs recruit young people to move drugs and money between areas. Gangs may ask young people to travel long distances by train or bus, often carrying drugs, cash, or weapons. They may force them to stay in unfamiliar locations, sometimes in properties taken over by gangs, a practice known as “cuckooing”. Gangs often maintain control through threats, violence, debt, intimidation, or manipulation, making it very difficult for young people to leave.

How Young People Are Targeted

Gangs deliberately target children who may be vulnerable, including those experiencing family breakdown, poverty, mental health difficulties, or a lack of stable relationships. Children in care or with experience of care can be particularly at risk. Grooming may begin with gifts, money, drugs, or a sense of belonging, before escalating into coercion and exploitation.

Signs Of County Lines Involvement

Possible indicators include unexplained money, new clothing or mobile phones, frequent travel to other towns, missing episodes, secrecy around phone use, changes in behaviour, or signs of physical injury. Young people may appear anxious, tired, withdrawn, or fearful, and their school attendance or performance may decline. These signs do not confirm involvement on their own but should raise concern when seen together.

Risks and Harms 

County lines exploitation exposes young people to serious harm, including violence, arrest, sexual exploitation, and long-term trauma. People may pressure them to carry weapons, threaten them if drugs or money are lost, or punish them if they try to leave. The stress and fear involved can have lasting impacts on mental health and wellbeing.

How Foster Carers Can Respond 

Foster carers play a vital role in noticing early warning signs and offering safety and stability. It is important to remain calm, listen without judgement, and avoid blaming the young person. Any concerns should be shared promptly with the supervising social worker or local safeguarding team. If there is immediate danger, the police should be contacted. Support should focus on protection, safety planning, and helping the young person understand that exploitation is not their fault.

County Lines – Slang & Language to be Aware Of 

(for recognition only, not exhaustive, varies by area and changes often)

Referring to the “line” (the phone / operation) –

• Line / lines

• Biz / business

• Trap line

• Food line

• Work phone

• The phone

• Hot phone

In reference to drugs (often disguised as everyday items) –

• Food

• Bits

• Gear

• Brown / white

• Dark / light

• Tickets

• Smoke

• Packet / packs

Referring to selling or delivering –

• Running

• Trapping

• OT (out there / out of town)

• Serving

• Making drops

• Shotting

• Doing a shift

In reference to young people being exploited –

• Runner

• Worker

• Younger

• My boy / my girl

• Soldier

• Grafted

Money-related language –

• P’s

• Paper

• Cash-up

• Prof

• Re-up

Travel / movement language –

• Going OT

• Town run

• Country

• Line trip

• Dropped off

• Staying with a friend (when vague or inconsistent)

Digital signs carers are often advised to notice –

• Use of burner phones

• Heavy use of Snapchat / WhatsApp with secrecy

• Deleting messages constantly

• Emojis used repeatedly with no obvious meaning

Important safeguarding notes for carers –

• Slang alone is not proof of exploitation.

• Concern increases when language appears alongside behaviour changes, such as:

• Unexplained money, clothes, or phones

• Sudden trips or missing episodes

• Fear, anxiety, or secrecy

• Older peers exerting control

• Language evolves quickly to avoid detection, patterns matter more than words.

County Lines Information – Emojis

Looking for More Guidance?

If you found this article on County Lines information useful, you might want to read further. Our Fostering Information Hub is full of practical articles designed to support foster carers at every stage of their journey. From understanding children’s behaviour and trauma to building resilience, supporting teens, and caring for yourself, you’ll find a wide range of resources to explore. Visit our Fostering Information Hub to discover more articles you may find helpful and relevant to your fostering experience.