Rise in number of girls being identified as victims in county lines exploitation, data shows

Charities suggest ‘gendered understanding’ of crime means services often fail to recognise girls and young women as victims

An increasing number of girls are being identified as victims of county lines exploitation, figures have shown.

Data from Catch22, the charity that provides the national county lines support service, said girls and young women formed 22% of its caseload in 2025, up from 15% the previous year.