In a year marked by a surge in law enforcement actions against criminal gangs, over 2,700 drug operations were dismantled and close to 1,000 knives were confiscated in 2025.
The Home Office disclosed that a total of 2,740 county lines, which are drug distribution networks typically run by urban gangs, were disrupted between January and December last year. This effort resulted in the arrest of 1,657 gang leaders and the seizure of 961 blades used in criminal activities involving cocaine and heroin sales across different regions.
These gangs, known for their use of violence and exploitation of minors, have seen record-breaking law enforcement interventions in 2025 since data collection began in 2019. The crackdown on county lines has notably contributed to a 25% decrease in hospital admissions due to stabbing incidents in key locations, preventing over 800 stabbings annually.
Policing minister Sarah Jones emphasized the government’s commitment to intensifying efforts against these criminal enterprises, aiming to cut knife crime in half within the next ten years. A substantial investment of £34 million has been allocated to the county lines program this year, earmarked for police operations such as raids on properties and drug seizures, with over £28 million specifically designated for law enforcement activities to combat gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals and perpetrating violence.
Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, leading the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), affirmed the ongoing priority of tackling county lines operations, highlighting the increased closure of criminal lines and the prosecution of violent offenders, ultimately safeguarding at-risk individuals from harm and exploitation.
Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery at The Salvation Army, lauded the government’s initiatives to combat county lines and the associated violence and social harm. She emphasized the importance of prevention, sustained investment, and the tangible outcomes achieved in addressing the exploitation and dangers posed by criminal gangs.
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