POLICE have warned of the tell-tale signs of children taking part in county lines crime.

County lines crime means groups or gangs using young people or vulnerable adults to carry and sell drugs from one area to another, this can be across a city or across county boundaries.

The term described often includes a range of serious and organised offences and almost exclusively involves violence, intimidation and / or the offer of money or drugs.

In isolation each point may be attributed to ‘typical adolescent’ behaviour but if taken together they could point towards something more sinister.

Jess Clayton, West Yorkshire Police's drugs co-ordinator, explains the five main signs:

• Does your child have items of clothing, have mobile phones and/or money that they cannot explain how they came by?

• Are they going missing and being found in locations far from home?

• Are they making friends with older individuals and calling them by a nickname?

• Are they pushing away from their peers and changing interests?

• Has there been a change in behaviour – for example saying “others have their back”.

• Are they being secretive?