The number of girls and young women identified as victims of exploitation within so-called “county lines” drug networks has risen significantly over the past year. According to data from Catch22, girls accounted for 22% of identified victims in 2025, up from 15% in 2024.
“County lines” refers to a model of drug trafficking in the United Kingdom, where urban gangs use children and teenagers to transport drugs and money to rural areas, coordinating operations via dedicated phone lines.
This crime is often stereotyped as a “boys’ issue,” which leads to girls being overlooked as victims by support services. While nearly half of affected boys receive assistance through the national modern slavery support system, only one in six girls has access to similar support.
Grooming is frequently used: girls are drawn into seemingly romantic relationships and then coerced into transporting drugs and cash. The youngest known victim is just seven years old.
Human rights organizations argue that “county lines” should be officially recognized as a form of violence against children. Without specialized support, victims — now increasingly girls — are often trapped in cycles of trauma, losing access to education and future opportunities.
