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Story summary
- Catch22 reports that girls identified as county lines victims rose to 22% in 2025.
- Catch22 supports government crackdown on gangs moving drugs from urban to rural areas.
- Marike van Harskamp emphasizes that gendered exploitation analysis overlooks girls as victims.
- Grooming occurs via social media, targeting vulnerable youths with mental health or housing issues.
- Det Supt Dan Mitchell states that tackling county lines remains a police priority and requires adaptation.
