Justin Tomlinson MP Welcomes Home Secretary To Swindon

The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has visited Swindon to update police officers, MPs and Councillors about the Government’s efforts to tackle 'County Lines' drug gangs.

'County Lines' drug gangs are dealers from large cities who expand their activities to smaller cities and towns, often getting children and vulnerable adults involved in their activities. In Wiltshire, the number of under 18-year olds convicted of drug offences has doubled since 2013 – with 'County Lines' drug gangs believed to be responsible.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson attended the meeting a Gablecross Police Station to hear the Home Secretary’s update on the issue and what the Government is doing to address the problem.

The Home Secretary said that a strong working relationship between the police and local authority would be an important factor in tackling the issue, and he was very interested to see the work officers in Swindon are already doing to develop an early intervention system to protect children at risk of being exploited.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Tackling the issue of 'County Lines' drug gangs is a major priority for the Government. I know from my regular meetings with Wiltshire Police how seriously they too take this issue, and I am glad that the Home Secretary has personally visited Swindon to to meet officers here. He has see first-hand the important early intervention work they are doing to protect children and vulnerable adults from being exploited by 'County Lines' gangs.”