Campaign aiming to protect vulnerable adults and children being exploited by organised gangs

This commonly involves gangs supplying drugs from urban to suburban and rural areas using vulnerable adults and children.

The charity Crimestoppers is extended its campaign to the region in support of Operation Guardian, which aims to protect vulnerable adults and children being exploited by organised crime groups to move drugs.

This can include market and coastal towns, using dedicated mobile phone lines or ‘deal lines.’

Gangs use intimidation, violence and weapons, including knives, corrosives and firearms. 

They set up a base in a rural or suburban area for a short time, taking over the home of a vulnerable person and use adults and children to act as drug runners.

Many of those targeted have been forced to carry out criminal activity by threats, grooming and extortion and can be described as modern day slaves. 

Ella Rabaiotti, Crimestoppers Wales manager, said: “Whilst drug dealing across our towns and cities isn’t new, the methods employed by organised criminals is becoming increasingly sophisticated and harmful.” 

The charity is running a series of digital adverts aimed at giving more information on the issue.

If you have any information on such activity contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11, or use an untraceable online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org