- Call Us: +44 7900 175555
- Email: midlands@dawateislamiuk.net
WHAT IS COUNTY LINES
County Lines is where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries (although not exclusively), usually by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs. The ‘County Line’ is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. Importing areas (areas where the drugs are taken to) are reporting increased levels of violence and weapons-related crimes as a result of this trend.
WHO ARE THE VICTIMS
Children as young as 9 are known to be trapped, transporting and selling drugs for gangs.
SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
- frequently going missing from school, home or care
- travelling to locations, or being found in areas they have no obvious connections with, including seaside or market towns
- unwillingness to explain their where abouts
- acquiring money, clothes, accessories or mobile phones which they seem unable to account for
- receiving excessive texts or phone calls at all hours of the day
- having multiple phones or Sim cards
- withdrawing or having sudden changes in personality,
- behaviour or the language they use
- having relationships with controlling or older individuals and groups
- unexplained injuries
- Islamic perspective on intoxicants/drugs
One of the purposes of the beautiful religion of Islam is to preserve the human intellect, and it is well known that intoxicants/drugs greatly harm and damage the intellect. Observe 2 narrations on the condemnation of intoxicants:
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has stated:
‘Every intoxicant is wine, and every intoxicant is Ḥarām.’ ((Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim,) - The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has stated:
‘Anything that causes intoxication when consumed in more quantity is also Ḥarām in small quantity.’, Sunan Abī Dāwūd
COUNTY LINES
Dawat-E-Islami launched a campaign in May 2021 to raise awareness about County Lines.
Workshops for Children
Week Commencing 31st May 2021, Dawat-e-Islami launched an awareness campaign about the issue of ‘County Lines’ with West Midlands UK Police.
During this campaign, awareness was given to hundreds of children in Birmingham by the representatives of Dawat-e-Islami and from the Police about how young children are exploited and forced to store/transport drugs to other areas and cities. Numerous signs were mentioned to the children to prevent them being coerced or lured in by drug dealers. Children were made aware of who they can speak to if they are approached by these criminals.
West Midlands Police praised Dawat-e-Islami for this great initiative taken by raising awareness a crucial issue in the community.
On Friday 4th June 2021 across the centres of Dawat-e-Islami in the Midlands UK, a targeted approach was carried out via the Friday sermon speeches to raise awareness about a serious issue that is facing our local communities: county lines and drug runners.
The congregation in attendance were made aware of how young vulnerable children are exploited and forced to store/transport drugs to other areas within cities.
Children as young as 8 years old are being approached to carry drugs by criminals. The monumental consequences on young children and their families – which entail long-term implications were discussed. Harrowing true-life accounts were mentioned to the congregation.
Several points from the Holy Quran and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was discussed, such as a keynote saying; ‘Allah is always watching’. In order to stay off the radar, criminals are using young children for their work. They forget to realise that they may stay out of the authorities’ radar, but Allah is always watching them.
Towards the end of the speeches, several signs were mentioned to make parents and guardians aware of what they need to look out for in their children who may be involved in these types of crimes and how to save their children from such disturbing criminal activities.
Regular Awareness continues through the centres of Dawat-E-Islami highlighting this serious issue
This Campaign was covered by Birmingham Live
Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved