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The phenomenon of county lines is relatively recent.

Gangs deliberately target vulnerable children — often those who are homeless, living in care homes or trapped in poverty.

They take advantage of their vulnerability and exploit them.

Estimates vary as to the number of children who are in the clutches of these evil gangs.

But there are at least 4,000 in London and tens of thousands more across the country.

County lines activity has grown at an astonishing rate.

Last year, a report showed 38 police forces had seen county lines activity. Just five said there was no sign in their area — but the National Crime Agency believes this is not the case.

Austerity is a driving factor.

Cuts to youth services, school budgets, and outreach work left a generation abandoned.

This is all taking place against a background of brutal police cuts.

A shortage of frontline officers has left the police without the means to tackle the problem.

There aren’t enough PCSOs to gather intelligence.

There aren’t enough detectives to investigate the crimes.

And there aren’t enough specialist officers to do what’s needed – tackle it head-on.

It’s obvious what the problem is. What’s not obvious is why nothing is being done about it.

The Government must act. And act fast. That means giving the police the resources they need to deal with these criminals.

It means funding youth services and local authorities properly.

Austerity has failed and left the most vulnerable worse off.

It’s time the Government listened and made things fairer for all. Especially these children being so cruelly exploited.