Plymouth Volunteer Police Cadets welcome the opportunity to deliver important safety message
Police Cadets from Plymouth came together last week to distribute safety messages to local hoteliers and B&Bs across the city.
Working with local businesses to raise awareness of County Lines, the cadets took to the streets to visit over 28 premises giving proprietors advice on how to spot the signs and how to report.
County Lines refers to a crime where drug gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to make them courier drugs and money across the country from the gang’s base to customers in towns across Devon and Cornwall. The ‘county line’ refers to the mobile phone line which is the link for the drugs gangs to sell drugs.
Youth Engagement Officer PC Deborah Hart who works with the volunteer Police Cadets said: “Vulnerable people of all ages are being used by drug dealers across the country to courier drugs and money. They will often force a vulnerable person to allow them to take up residence in their home to sell drugs in the local area. They may stay in hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, campsites or other holiday accommodation while.
“The Plymouth Cadets wanted to support Devon & Cornwall Police’s County Lines awareness campaign by talking to local hospitality businesses in the city about how to spot the signs. They also provided information about how to report their concerns to 101 or crimestoppers.”
Plymouth Police Cadets have been meeting virtually at their new online cadet sessions. Learning about how county lines can detrimentally impact a community. PC Hart continued to say: “Getting back out in the community could have been seen as a difficult challenge to carry out safely. However, the cadets in their usual positive manner, found a way for us to provide this guidance to businesses locally in person, whilst staying safe. This pre-planned outdoor event was a great success.”
Volunteer Police Cadets is open to all young people in Devon and Cornwall regardless of their career ambitions or capabilities. Cadets attracts all sorts of people who want to volunteer to support community initiatives and gain a practical understanding of policing and develop leadership skills. The delivery and management of local units is supported by volunteers and other members of the Policing family which includes police officers and staff. To find out more visit: https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/
--- Note to readers: This message has been disseminated by Devon and Cornwall Police - please visit their official website for further information.