By Adam Morris
Hundreds of children across rural Scotland have been caught in possession of drugs as authorities grapple with so-called county lines gangs.
Analysis by 1919 has revealed 725 cases of under-16s being found in possession of illegal substances in the past three years.
Many of these have occurred beyond the big cities, fuelling fears that organised gangs are exploiting young people in remote areas to supply their drugs and return the profits.
County lines – where organised criminals from major UK cities deliberately target villages and towns to deal drugs – has long been a focus for Police Scotland.
The service can claim some success, with a number of high-profile campaigns interrupting activity, particularly on the rail network, and raising awareness of travelling gangs.
The number of young people detected has declined slightly, suggesting a positive impact, but campaigners are still concerned about the scale of the problem.
The University of Strathclyde’s Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice described the practice as “a form of child abuse”.
“Therefore, this should be responded to through child protection procedures, rather than by criminalising children,” said director Professor Fiona Dyer.
“This includes drug-dealing for crime gangs, and if their exploitation involves them travelling, this should also be considered trafficking.”
The figures were obtained by 1919 through analysis of positive police stop-and-search data.
While Glasgow and Lanarkshire, with their higher levels of deprivation and populous settlements, attract the most positive searches, countryside communities also feature highly.
Since 2023/24 there have been 72 cases of under-16s being caught with drugs in Ayrshire, 54 in the North East division, and 48 in the Highlands and Islands.
Railway stations in Aberdeen and Inverness (pictured) are repeatedly targeted by officers looking for suspicious activity involving gangs who have travelled north.
This includes major criminal operations based in Birmingham and Liverpool.
In the first three months of this year alone, stop-and-search officers apprehended dozens of young teens the length and breadth of the country.
That included a 14-year-old in Oban, a 13-year-old in Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway, and two children in Inverness.
“When it comes to on-the-ground illicit drug trade, our children are often criminals’ primary targets”
Yi-pei Chou Turvey MSP
Instances were also recorded involving under-16s across the north east, including in Buckie, Huntly, and Stonehaven.
Even on the Shetland Islands police bosses have warned about incomers wreaking havoc by using children to circulate drugs in recent weeks, urging islanders “not to be complacent”.
Almost all the youngsters involved were white males, fitting the profile of those most often targeted by criminals.
“This is a nationwide problem, wired into an international economy of organised crime,” said Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey.
“What these figures should remind us of is that when it comes to on-the-ground illicit drug trade, our children are often criminals’ primary targets.
“While the commentary on Scotland’s drugs crisis is often rightly focused on deaths, we urgently need to pay attention to the way these drugs are getting into our communities and who is transporting, selling, buying and using them.”
Charity Children First said it was imperative that efforts were focused on adult criminals, and not the children they enlist.
“Behind these statistics are young, vulnerable children who need protection, not judgement,” said chief executive Mary Glasgow.
“Professionals need to remember at all times that children are the victims and the criminals are those who are using vulnerability, fear and control to exploit children and keep them silent.
“They need to respond with understanding and compassion to encourage children, who may have little trust in the authorities, to open up about their experiences and to make sure they get the care and protection they need.”
Police Scotland confirmed the issue had become higher profile, and efforts to tackle it were extensive.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sarah Taylor told 1919: “Safeguarding vulnerable young people who are at risk of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, or being drawn into criminal activity by county lines dealers is a priority for Police Scotland.
“We are committed to working with a variety of partners to identify and protect young people at risk and bring anyone committing criminal offences against them to justice.
“There has been a considerable increase in awareness of these offences due to greater public awareness and we will continue to act on all referrals made to us.”
Number of under 16s caught in possession of drugs since 2023/24
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