Case Study: County Lines – Illuminating the Darkness
Across Britain, it is estimated there are around 1,500 county lines in operation. These networks are run by criminal gangs who groom and exploit children—some as young as eight—forcing them to travel across the country to sell Class A drugs via dedicated mobile phone “lines.”
The children targeted are often among the most vulnerable in society. Many come from disadvantaged backgrounds, living in relative poverty, experiencing neglect or abuse, or facing social exclusion due to race or socio-economic status. Gangs lure them in with offers of money, drugs, and gifts, only to manipulate and control them.
The exploitation is brutal. Gang members are violent, intimidating, and often armed with knives. Young girls are particularly at risk of sexual exploitation. According to Ofsted (2019), knife crime in England and Wales rose by 68.4% in the 12 months to September 2018, highlighting the scale of the danger.
The Local Challenge in Blackpool
In Blackpool, professionals recognised a growing need to educate young people on the realities of county lines. Awareness of the signs of criminal and sexual exploitation was low, and misconceptions were common. Blackpool and Fylde College partnered with 2engage to create a powerful educational intervention.
Project Aims
The theatre project set out to:
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De-glamorise knife crime and gang violence.
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Highlight the warning signs of child criminal exploitation (CCE) and child sexual exploitation (CSE).
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Explain clearly what county lines are and how they operate.
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Raise awareness of both the physical and mental dangers of gang grooming.
2engage’s Approach
To ensure authenticity and impact, 2engage:
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Conducted interviews with local young people to understand life in Blackpool from their perspective.
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Worked with safeguarding professionals to shape the narrative.
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Developed and produced County Lines: Illuminating the Darkness, an original one-hour theatre production.
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Delivered a post-project report detailing findings and impact.
The Outcome
The production toured six Blackpool high schools and Pupil Referral Units, reaching 2,300 students in Years 9–11. Feedback and evaluation are detailed in the official Impact Report—available on request.
For more information about our County Lines: Illuminating the Darkness programme and how it can be delivered in your school, please get in touch.
