Lost Boys
Spot the signs. Break the lines
We’re urging the public to help us break county drugs lines operating in Bedfordshire by spotting the signs of exploitation and drug related criminality.
Lost Boys is our new, cutting-edge campaign which launches in June.
As part of the campaign, we’ll be rolling out a bespoke virtual reality film to school children across the county.
We’re also educating parents and carers on the signs to look out for that may indicate their child is being exploited or at risk of exploitation, while encouraging members of the community to help us break the lines by telling us what they know.
Lost Boys – the film
We’ve created a bespoke virtual reality film to be rolled out to secondary schools across the county, highlighting the risks of becoming involved in county lines.
The film, which was produced by RIVR and local theatre group Next Generation Youth Theatre, tells the fictional story of Rhys, a 14-year-old boy from Bedfordshire who is gradually groomed into becoming a runner for a county drugs line.
What starts as a small favour for a friend, ends Rhys facing a significant amount of time behind bars after a violent encounter with a fellow drugs gang member.
It is believed to be the first virtual reality film of its kind to be created by a police force for schools.
It will be piloted in select schools across the county from June onwards by the force’s Education and Diversion team, before being fully rolled out across the county from September onwards. It will include a lesson plan around county lines, such as signs of exploitation to look out for and what children should do if they have concerns.
Ben’s story
As part of our campaign, we’re also releasing a short video detailing the lived experience of Ben, who talks through how he was groomed by a gang as a child and how he wants to stop other young people from making the same mistakes.
Not my child: Spotting the signs of exploitation
Exploitation can happen to any child or young person, regardless of background, ethnicity, age, gender or religion.
As part of our Lost Boys campaign, we’re working to raise awareness amongst parents and carers of the signs of exploitation.
This will include hosting educational awareness events and webinars.
There are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is involved in county lines:
- repeatedly going missing from school or home and being found in other areas
- having money, new clothes or electronic devices and they can't explain how they paid for them
- getting high numbers of texts or phone calls, being secretive about who they're speaking to
- decline in school or work performance
- significant changes in emotional or physical well-being
Find out more about county lines, including what they are and how they operate.
Help and support for parents and carers
We know that it can be extremely worrying if you believe your child is involved in county lines activity or being exploited.
There are many organisations who can offer advice and support specifically for parents.
If you believe your child is in danger right now, please call us on 999.
Report county lines activity in your community
Our community are our eyes and ears. You can help us break the lines by telling us what you know.
All of your information helps us build an intelligence picture so that we can take the necessary action to break the lines.
Signs a county drugs line might be operating in your area include:
- Suspicious activity at a property, such as people coming and going at all hours
- An increase in anti-social behaviour, such as littering, vandalism, noise and street drinking
- Finding drug paraphernalia such as discased needles, small plastic bags or other drug-related items
- Residents being threatened or feeling intimidated by groups of people who haven’t been seen in the area before
You can report concerns online by using the following links.
You can also provide information anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.