Police forces across the UK boosted activity in the seven days from May 17 (Picture: PA/Merseyside Police) More than 1,000 people have been arrested and 292 weapons seized as part of a week-long crackdown on county lines drug dealing gangs

Police forces across the UK boosted activity in the seven days from May 17, making 1,100 arrests, seizing 33 guns and 219 knives, and identifying 80 phone lines used to peddle drugs.

There are currently thought to be around 600 county lines gangs operating in the UK, down from around 2,000 two years ago. They are urban drug dealers who sell to customers in more rural areas via dedicated phone lines.

The crime gangs are notorious for exploiting children to work as couriers and forcing vulnerable people to let them use their homes to conceal or deal drugs. During the week of action, 904 of these ‘cuckooed’ homes were visited by law enforcement, and 1,138 vulnerable people were safeguarded – including 573 children.

Read the full story from the Metro below:

Source: More than 500 children saved and 1,100 people arrested in county lines crackdown