Child found in cuckooed Southampton home raided by police

The pair have been taken to safety after being found by police investigating drug dealing across the city.

The address of the home was not disclosed for safeguarding reasons.

A 33-year-old man suspected of dealing Class A drugs was arrested. He has since been released on bail. 

Drug paraphernalia, three phones and a meat cleaver were seized.

The raid on October 9 formed part of a week-long crackdown on drugs which, in Southampton, resulted in a total of 20 arrests, 11 weapons and £5,700 in cash seized and three county lines dismantled.

Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy said: “County line gangs run despicable, exploitative criminal operations manipulating the most vulnerable to do their dirty work, tearing families and communities apart in the process.

“This intense week of operational and partnership activity has been incredibly successful in disrupting and shutting down county line networks running in our towns and cities.

“We’ve been relentless in the co-ordination of our policing activity targeting these vile criminals who bring misery and violence to our communities. We have executed 13 warrants, made 87 arrests and visited 62 cuckooed addresses in the past week, all related to drug-related harm. Seizing large quantities of drugs, cash and proceeds of their criminality including over £50,000 in cash.

“County lines exploit children and vulnerable people and safeguarding has been at the heart of our response, with 58 vulnerable people including two children aged under 18, being referred to support services via the National Referral Mechanism."

Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy

He added: “During the operations, we have recovered over 50 offensive weapons, including firearms, zombie knives, Tasers, machetes and ammunition. Reassuringly, we have taken them out of the hands of criminals intend on creating fear, harm and violence."

Across Hampshire, 15 county lines were disrupted during the crackdown which resulted in £106,000 of drugs and more than 50 weapons seized.

More than 200 stop and searches - 15 per cent of which involving a minor - were carried out.

James Simmonds-Read, National Programme Manager at The Children’s Society, said: “Criminals groom young people in person or online and use terrifying threats and violence to force them into crimes such as carrying drugs and fraud or exploiting them sexually.

“This Awareness Week we want to highlight how exploitation can happen to any young person, anywhere, and as the nights draw in, we especially urge people to spot the signs of exploitation in public places after dark.

“Young people can be targeted at fast food outlets, forced to travel on trains and in taxis late at night, and are abused behind closed doors, in hotels and holiday lets.

“Whether you are on a night out, commuting home, staying overnight for a business trip, or working as a driver or in customer service, you could be the one that gets help.

“Call the police on 101 or 999 if there is an immediate risk. If on a train text British Transport Police on 61016. Alternatively, you can contact the NSPCC for advice on 0808 800 5000.