VULNERABLE children being used to peddle drugs by organised crime rings will be targeted by a new anti-exploitation team set up to tackle the growing problem, the Chronicle can reveal.

So-called county lines - a term used for crime associated with gangs crossing borders to expand their drug network - is said to have become a problem for police bosses.

Officers believe South Yorkshire as a whole has been seen as a hotbed for organised crime groups (OCGs) thanks to its road links to West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Humberside.

A child exploitation team has been set up this month as a result, with officers tasked to work with young people in local communities where organised crime is prevalent and intelligence suggests that children are being targeted.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, told the Chronicle: “A lot of good work is being done to target OCGs exploiting children. Barnsley has quite a high amount of children’s homes and often its occupants do go missing, so there are multiple agencies working to protect them.

“We estimate that there are about 200 looked-after children in the town.”

Next month Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet members will also discuss the matter, following an ongoing consultation with schools across the town, and are due to set out a plan which will involve a ‘multi-agency approach’ to deal with child exploitation.

The revelation comes after communities in the Dearne became the focus of increased police activity as a result of organised crime, particularly a group using the name Pitsmoor Shotta Boys.

Det Chf Insp Emma Wheatcroft, force lead for child criminal exploitation, said: “Throughout this week we have been raising awareness of the signs to spot in relation to child criminal exploitation and how people can help us to safeguard vulnerable young people and prevent them from becoming victims.

“Typically it is young boys aged 15 to 17 who we see recruited by older men to sell drugs on their behalf.

“However, it’s important to remember that anyone, including young girls and vulnerable adults, can be exploited.

“While we have seen a few cases of this occurring within the boundaries of South Yorkshire, it is still vastly under-reported and as such we need to raise awareness to highlight the signs that someone could be being exploited by a gang member.

“A lot of the time, people being exploited may not see themselves as victims, for example if they are being given gifts or cash, therefore we all have a responsibility to spot the signs.”

Eight OCGs were identified in Barnsley earlier this year and dozens of people remain on investigating officers’ radars, with 50 per cent of the gangs assessed as being armed.

Almost 1,000 reports of violent crime were reported across Barnsley in 2018, police figures show, leading to Operation Armenia and Operation Fortify - both of which target gangs and those involved in the supply of drugs - to be launched.

Stop and search checks have historically proved controversial because some elements of the community have faced the greatest likelihood of being challenged by police and national guidelines were issued advising forces to reduce reliance on those tactics.

However, that advice has been withdrawn, with Barnsley’s officers actively encouraged to conduct such work if they have reason to believe a person is carrying a weapon or concealing drugs.

DCI Wheatcroft added: “We have had officers going into schools this week to talk about county lines and speak to teachers about how they can help.

“Victims can often mistakenly be viewed as having chosen to engage in criminal behaviour.

“Our aim is to safeguard them and to understand how they became involved, in order to put the necessary safeguarding measures in place.”

South and West Yorkshire forces are working together to combat county lines crime, with officers in both marked and unmarked vehicles patrolling on-the-border routes, including Penistone and Royston, used by gangs.

DCI Carl Galvin, from West Yorkshire Police, added: “County lines crime is something we are aware of and have been taking action to combat for some time. Much of it, however, has been covert work.

“What is often forgotten when we talk about county lines crime is that there are victims at the centre of it - hardened criminals are using children or other vulnerable people to do their illegal work.

“Once the children are in they are intimidated with threats of violence against them and their loved ones.

“By knowing about county lines crime parents and carers can increase their chances of stopping their child or loved one being taken advantage of by criminals.”