Weapons, drugs and cash seized as West Yorkshire Police pay visits to 'potentially vulnerable children'

As part of a national crackdown on County Lines crime, the force also made 25 arrests during the week from Monday, May 17 to Sunday, May 23.

Weapons seized included a taser, machete and an electric stun gun.

Arrests were made across the region for a variety of offences, including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

County Lines crime is where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often going across police and local authority boundaries.

Usually, children or other vulnerable people are coerced into it.

Detective superintendent Carl Galvin is the force lead for serious and organised crime.

He said: “Through Programme Precision – which sees us working closely with partners to target serious and organised crime – we are making a significant difference to the communities of West Yorkshire.

“This week of action was important as it saw us intensify our efforts to bring offenders to justice and to safeguard victims – who are often young and / or vulnerable.

“It is, however, the sort of work we put in every day of the year.

“Put more simply it is hardened criminals getting young people to do their ‘dirty work’ (i.e. transporting and selling drugs).

“Criminals will promise a glamourous life and will often groom and exploit the children, using physical and sometimes sexual violence to get what they want.

“That is why education is as important as enforcement – and a lot of our work concentrates on safeguarding people.

“Throughout the week we also visited schools to spread our message."

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "Weapons, drugs and cash were seized by West Yorkshire Police last week as part of a national-crackdown on county lines crime.

"The intensification week took place between Monday 17 May and Sunday 23 May and saw the Force make 25 arrests and visit potentially vulnerable children.

"Arrests made were for a variety of offences including possession with intent to supply class a drugs.

"The weapons seized included a Taser, machete and an electric stun gun.

"County Lines Crime is where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries (although not exclusively), usually by children or other vulnerable people who are coerced into it."