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County Lines
Jason Farrell, Home Editor at Sky News, is the man with the inside story. In this fearless, hard-hitting account, Farell shares in terrifying detail the story of the county lines phenomenon through the words of gang members and their victims themselves as well as the police and the country's leading experts. Through exclusive interviews and meticulous research, Farrell paints a vivid picture of how this murky world operates he reveals the devastating effects County Lines is having upon the UK... and beyond... and, most terrifying of all, why this new, sinister crime wave means nobody is safe.
320 pages, Paperback
Published January 9, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 19, 2021
This book delves into the drug scene, use of county lines and the effects on families and individuals. The author is a journalist who describes the book as a factual account accquired through personal investigations, interviews with people involved and police reports.
The author displays opinions towards people in the book that are judgemental and at times condescending, in places it reads less like Journalism and more like an angry police man spitting hate on the criminals involved.
Despite this fact the book reads well and provides a good amount of information on the subject, it gives an indepth look at the drug world and its effects on people.
The author displays opinions towards people in the book that are judgemental and at times condescending, in places it reads less like Journalism and more like an angry police man spitting hate on the criminals involved.
Despite this fact the book reads well and provides a good amount of information on the subject, it gives an indepth look at the drug world and its effects on people.
March 13, 2020
Well researched and good use of specific examples and case studies. It offers an eye opening insight into a problem that anyone with child or who works with children should know about.
September 29, 2020
This is an excellent and informative exposé of the UK county lines drug-dealing phenomenon.
I hadn't even heard of county lines until about a year ago, but as it is connected to gang warfare, knife crime, drill music and inner-city deprivation, I thought that it merited looking into. These are all themes that occupy the papers of late. This book, by an eminent Sky News reporter, is probably as much as you are going to need to understand the phenomenon, unless you are doing a PHd on the subject. It is highly readable - it only took me a couple of days - and there are chapters focusing on the different elements of the county-lines chain and the pathetic or unsavoury characters that illustrate them.
A depressing book of course, as it inevitably will be when you look at very young children stabbing each other, being groomed into crime, or becoming addicts before they have even left school. The only thing that the book really shied away from was looking into the link between gangs and race. This has little to do with race but a lot to do with imported cultures. Young, often brutalised people, from different ethnic minorities, often asylum seekers or second generation immigrants, have experienced more violence than the average white ethnic Brit kid and have a higher tolerance for it. It is surely no coincidence that not many of the cast of characters that Farrell presents are called Steve Jones, nor that nearly all the victims of inner-city knife violence are black or brown. This leads to you suspect that it is one thing allowing asylum seekers into a country but if you don't put into place schemes on arrival to make them culturally integrated - over a number of years - you are creating severe problems for yourself. Dumping them on deprived housing estates is not going to cut it.
I hadn't even heard of county lines until about a year ago, but as it is connected to gang warfare, knife crime, drill music and inner-city deprivation, I thought that it merited looking into. These are all themes that occupy the papers of late. This book, by an eminent Sky News reporter, is probably as much as you are going to need to understand the phenomenon, unless you are doing a PHd on the subject. It is highly readable - it only took me a couple of days - and there are chapters focusing on the different elements of the county-lines chain and the pathetic or unsavoury characters that illustrate them.
A depressing book of course, as it inevitably will be when you look at very young children stabbing each other, being groomed into crime, or becoming addicts before they have even left school. The only thing that the book really shied away from was looking into the link between gangs and race. This has little to do with race but a lot to do with imported cultures. Young, often brutalised people, from different ethnic minorities, often asylum seekers or second generation immigrants, have experienced more violence than the average white ethnic Brit kid and have a higher tolerance for it. It is surely no coincidence that not many of the cast of characters that Farrell presents are called Steve Jones, nor that nearly all the victims of inner-city knife violence are black or brown. This leads to you suspect that it is one thing allowing asylum seekers into a country but if you don't put into place schemes on arrival to make them culturally integrated - over a number of years - you are creating severe problems for yourself. Dumping them on deprived housing estates is not going to cut it.
February 8, 2020
My only wish was that this book was longer and had more in depth data and investigation; but the fact that there aren’t many sources for Jason Farrell to draw on exposes the woeful neglect of the most vulnerable children and adults in society. Some amazing individuals in this book. Eye opening!
February 4, 2020
Mind blowing and eye opening. Well researched. Highly recommended
August 3, 2021
I've recently got really interested in organised crime (I know, I'm such a fun person; you should invite me to your parties!). I picked up this book at random, but it turned out to be an impressive, immersive piece of journalism.
County Lines follows individuals at every stage of the UK drug-dealing process, from (among others) the overseas distributers using tactics that might as well be taught on an MBA program in order to undercut the competition, to the vulnerable teenagers who get scammed into trafficking the drugs down 'county lines' via long train journeys, to the just as vulnerable people whose flats end up 'cuckooed' by dealers taking roost.
(Fun fact: you stab someone in their butt cheek to teach them a lesson, because it hurts like hell but you probably won't die. *shifts warily in seat*)
It's depressing stuff, but eye-opening, and tbh if you're someone who looked at austerity politics and thought 'yep seems great' you should read this, because the victims of knife crime should be dumped on the Tories' front steps.
County Lines follows individuals at every stage of the UK drug-dealing process, from (among others) the overseas distributers using tactics that might as well be taught on an MBA program in order to undercut the competition, to the vulnerable teenagers who get scammed into trafficking the drugs down 'county lines' via long train journeys, to the just as vulnerable people whose flats end up 'cuckooed' by dealers taking roost.
(Fun fact: you stab someone in their butt cheek to teach them a lesson, because it hurts like hell but you probably won't die. *shifts warily in seat*)
It's depressing stuff, but eye-opening, and tbh if you're someone who looked at austerity politics and thought 'yep seems great' you should read this, because the victims of knife crime should be dumped on the Tories' front steps.
August 13, 2021
One of the first books in ages that I haven't been able to put down. Extremely eye opening to the terrors that are plaguing our streets and the complete lack of support from the government, which is needed to create fundamental change. Child are being exploited and forgotten about in the hundreds everyday. How as a society can we let this happen?
It is easy to place the blame on drill music, violent video games, trouble at school etc (these can be a factor) but realistically it's due to the extreme cuts in youth centres, schools and council facilities from this Tory government.
The book itself was extremely intriguing especially being able to hear a large range of first hand accounts. Will definitely be researching into the papers mentioned throughout the book. I hope that narrow minded people, who are quick to blame purely gangs for this rise in violence, get a chance to read this so they can start to be educated on the truth. Like everything in this world, there is not just one cause and effect for something - everything has a knock on effect.
11/10 recommend x
It is easy to place the blame on drill music, violent video games, trouble at school etc (these can be a factor) but realistically it's due to the extreme cuts in youth centres, schools and council facilities from this Tory government.
The book itself was extremely intriguing especially being able to hear a large range of first hand accounts. Will definitely be researching into the papers mentioned throughout the book. I hope that narrow minded people, who are quick to blame purely gangs for this rise in violence, get a chance to read this so they can start to be educated on the truth. Like everything in this world, there is not just one cause and effect for something - everything has a knock on effect.
11/10 recommend x
October 29, 2020
An excellent piece of reporting, of what the Children’s Commissioner Longfield calls a national emergency - the use of children in county lines drug dealing. “What can be more important than safeguarding our children?”, the author asks at the end. At the time of the book’s publication, Brexit pushed everything else off the national agenda and now it is covid. Is there hope?
January 7, 2021
Wow, what an insightful read! This book was researched very well & I honestly think it needs to be built into the curriculum to help eradicate young people joining gangs! I learnt so much & would thoroughly recommend to anybody wanting to have a better understanding of the gang/violence/drug/child exploitation issues we have here in the UK.
April 9, 2020
Excellent read
I would highly recommend this book that looks at the ripples effects of county lines from different perspectives. Looking at gang violence, child poverty, education system and the government response and suggestions for investment to try and stem the tide
I would highly recommend this book that looks at the ripples effects of county lines from different perspectives. Looking at gang violence, child poverty, education system and the government response and suggestions for investment to try and stem the tide
July 17, 2022
A really in depth look with real stories into the drug / gang problems in the UK. The write is good at piecing things together to make sense while also giving opinions in the situation. Some of the stories are mind blowing and I did not think this kind of thing happened. Crazy interesting read.
May 26, 2023
One of the most chilling books I have ever read That this is probably happening not a mile from where I live, where I work, where I shop for my mum, pleasant market towns all three. If I had an answer I would shout it from the rooftops, but I haven't Kids without any support being exploited by ruthless gangs, of there's one group who need to read this it's middle class recreational drug users Oh and politicians..
March 27, 2020
Amazing book, I deffo recommend.
July 3, 2020
Very good insights into a big and serious concern for our young people.
May 31, 2021
Fascinating material and really interesting read - it did go on too long for me though.
September 14, 2021
A must read
A frank expose of this increasing tragedy affecting our young people. Parents please take note. No-one is immune to this
A frank expose of this increasing tragedy affecting our young people. Parents please take note. No-one is immune to this
April 26, 2022
Good but only just scratches the surface.
July 15, 2022
An eye opener!
April 20, 2023
Very good & couldn't put it down.
April 9, 2025
Really interesting insight into county lines and how organised crime is impacted low income families and children groomed into a career in crime.
July 6, 2020
Interesting insight into this issue.
May 25, 2020
If you are going to read one non fiction book this year, please, please read this one.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews