A DEDICATED force of police officers have put their heads together in a bid to tackle county lines crime.

The Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit hosted an event to bring the experts together last week.

Organised by Detective Inspector Andy Farrell and Chloe Frogett, it was held at West Yorkshire Police's Carr Gate training and development centre.

Detective Inspector Farrell said: "County lines is a national issue affecting police forces across England and Wales. No single police force can or should look to deal with the crime - it is a cross border crime which requires a cross border response.

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"It is important that police forces and partners respond to it - this requires officers in the heart of the community making a difference but also those at the strategic level sharing best practice - that was what this conference was about."

The West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson opened the event, which was attended by representatives of West Yorkshire Police, West Midlands Police, Humberside Police, The National Police Chiefs Council, St Giles Trust, North Lincolnshire Council and the Crimestoppers charity.

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He said: "County lines essentially boils down to the exploitation of vulnerable people, something which we stand steadfast against.

"Events such as this one are really key in building the awareness of these issues as well as a joined up partnership approach which tightens the net around these callous criminals who are causing harm to individuals and communities.

"We need to ensure we are working together to safeguarding those that are vulnerable whilst holding the people behind these abuses to account through targeted robust law enforcement activity."

In May we reported how 500 people suspected of being involved with county lines gangs had been arrested in one week.

Between May 13 and 20 of this year, police forces across the UK carried out a crackdown co-ordinated by the National County Lines Coordination Centre, seizing £312,649 in cash and 46 weapons.

During the week-long operation, 500 men and 86 women were arrested, 519 vulnerable adults and 364 children were safeguarded.

In addition, 30 people were referred as potential victims of slavery or human trafficking, 46 weapons were seized, including four guns, swords, machetes, an axe, knives, samurai swords, and a crossbow, while drugs including cocaine valued at £176,780, crack worth £36,550 and heroin worth £17,950 were all seized.

The National Crime Agency estimates there are around 2,000 county lines gangs in the UK, and every police force in England and Wales is affected by their activity.