A Barrow-based drug gang disruption programme is expanding its work to Carlisle.

County Lines Informed Cumbria (1CLIC), a project originally launched in February 2022, is broadening its reach beyond Barrow-in-Furness after disrupting county lines drugs gangs and reducing consequential crime in identified hot-spot areas.

The scheme was presented to Cumbria's deputy police, fire and crime commissioner (DPFCC), Mike Johnson, who met with detective sergeant Kevin Milby and The Well Communities to hear more about its work.

 

 

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As a recovery organisation with lived experience, The Well Communities provides support to individuals recovering from addiction, identifying those most susceptible to engaging with drug gangs and encouraging them to make positive behavioural changes.

During its initial two-year span, the programme has been funded by Cumbria’s PFCC Peter McCall.

The programme's triumph in the south of the county has led to additional funding to continue the work in Barrow and expand into Carlisle for an extra year.

This funding comes through the Serious Violence Duty, which assists community agencies in combatting serious violence by addressing root causes.

In Barrow, 1CLIC has facilitated over 2300 vulnerability visits in people's homes while reducing active county lines from a peak of six to zero at several points during the pilot.

Kendal also witnessed a decrease from two long-standing active county lines to none in a three-month period.

DPFCC Mike Johnson expressed his satisfaction with the expansion of 1CLIC to Carlisle, commending the programme's ability to identify and support the vulnerable, consequently reducing the penetration of dangerous organised crime gangs in communities.

Chief executive officer of The Well Communities, Dave Higham, said: "We are excited we can spread this great work in the North of Cumbria."

Detective Sergeant Kevin Milby, the 1CLIC Project Manager from Cumbria Constabulary, said: “The 1CLIC partnership allows us to get help to the people most in need and show them that support is there and that we can divert them away from the life they are in. “Organised crime groups involved in county lines drug supply seek to exploit vulnerable people in order to carry out their activity.

"The impact this has on individuals and the wider community can be devastating." He concluded: “We welcome the expansion of 1CLIC to north Cumbria and we hope to see similar success as evidenced in the south of the county.

“By disrupting those involved in county lines, we are preventing illegal drugs getting into our communities which in turn prevents the associated detrimental impact drug supply has on local communities.”