County lines crime targeted in new £13 million scheme

Millions is to be invested protecting vulnerable children. Credit: PA

County lines crime is to be targeted in a new multi-million pound scheme designed to steer young people and children away from exploitative gangs.

The Home Office launched a £13 million fund on Sunday to help youth workers, police, nurses and other professionals form protective relationships with vulnerable young people.

Known as "county lines", gangs use children and young people to traffic drugs, using dedicated mobile phones or "lines", into new locations outside of their home areas.

Thousands of London teenagers are among those being targeted and groomed every year to sell drugs in rural towns and villages.

But some say much more is needed to properly tackle the problem: