Year 7 explore the dangers of County Lines

On Tuesday this week we welcomed PC Jason Ellwood from South Ribble's Safer Neighbourhoods Team. Jason visits schools in South Ribble to talk to Year 7 pupils about County Lines and how to avoid getting involved. 

The County Lines workshop is designed to educate young people about the dangers of being groomed into drug trafficking by criminal gangs. These workshops raised awareness amongst our Year 7s about the risks associated with County Lines - a term describing gangs using young people to transport drugs and money from cities to rural areas. 

The workshops cover how gangs operate, target vulnerable youth, and recruit through social media. They also address the consequences of involvement, including violence, exploitation, and criminal convictions.

Miss Smith said, "We are so grateful that Jason was able to come into school to teach our youngsters about potential risks that they may unknowingly get involved in. 

"The workshops also contributed to the pupil's understanding of the Fundamental British Value - Rule of Law which is developed over the five years here at Priory. Having spoken to one of our parent teachers, she was happy that her daughter had been given this information so early in her development of independence and found the sessions informative as an adult. 

"We are hoping to run further sessions with the Police later in the academic year, focusing on legalities and crimes impacting youngsters in our local area, and involving Year 9 in 'Cells' workshops when the touring group visit us in July".