health
Rise in number of girls being identified as victims in county lines exploitation, data shows
Charities suggest ‘gendered understanding’ of crime means services often fail to recognise girls and young women as victims
TL;DR
- Girls and young women constituted 22% of county lines exploitation cases supported by Catch22 in 2025, up from 15% the previous year.
- A 'gendered understanding' of county lines exploitation means services often fail to recognize girls and young women as victims.
- The 'boyfriend model,' where girls are groomed into relationships and then forced into criminal activity, is a common method of exploitation.
- In 2025, 2,740 county lines were closed, 1,657 gang leaders charged, and 961 knives seized as part of government efforts.
- Experts emphasize framing county lines exploitation as a form of child abuse, as children as young as seven can be groomed, often via social media.
- Vulnerabilities such as mental health issues, substance misuse, being care-experienced, and unsafe peer relationships increase susceptibility to grooming.
- The trauma of exploitation can lead to significant, long-term mental health impacts, increasing the risk of victims remaining in cycles of abuse.
- Specialist mental health aftercare is crucial for victims, as poor mental health is linked to reduced life chances and social mobility.
- Police continue to prioritize tackling county lines gangs, adapting their policing approach as gang methods evolve.