Young people in Leicestershire are being warned about County Lines

A hard-hitting production to raise awareness is being shown at 80 secondary schools.

Young people in Leicestershire are being warned about County Lines.

A hard-hitting production to raise awareness is being shown at 80 secondary schools across Leicestershire.

It's a national problem and involves gangs and criminal networks exporting illegal drugs into other areas of the country, often small towns.

Katie Hudson, Children and Young Persons Officer for Leicestershire Police, said: “County Lines is a national issue which effects young people and has a detrimental impact on their future. We feel it’s vital to raise awareness in young people in order to prevent any risk or harm happening to them.

“AlterEgo’s approach is different and as a result they have an engaging way to reach young people. We’re able to reach at least one year group in every secondary school in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with this production.”

Keith Hobbs, Headteacher at Stephenson Studio School said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Leicestershire Police and AlterEgo Creative Solutions to tackle national issues at a local level and in a creative way.

“It is imperative that all schools raise awareness amongst their students and the community of the risk of County Lines and other potential safeguarding risks.

“The police and AlterEgo have been pivotal in raising the profile of this work, enabling the delivery of this important message in a way that is more relatable and memorable.”

Lynne Goodwin, of AlterEgo said: "Alterego are delighted to be returning to Leicestershire with our child criminal exploitation play County Lines.  The play was developed out of a growing need to raise awareness around this issue and has had a tremendous impact in all the areas around the UK that we have toured to.”