Bedfordshire Police launches ‘Lost Boys’ campaign to tackle county drug lines

Bedfordshire Police is launching a new campaign urging the public to help it break county drugs lines operating in Bedfordshire by spotting the signs of exploitation and drug related criminality.

As part of the force’s new Lost Boys campaign, which launches in June, Bedfordshire Police will be rolling out a bespoke virtual reality film to school children across the county.  

Bedfordshire Police will also be educating parents and carers on the signs to look out for which may indicate their child is being exploited or at risk of exploitation, while encouraging members of the community to help break the lines by telling the force what they know.  

Lost Boys – the film 

The virtual reality film, which is to be rolled out to secondary schools across the county, highlights the risks of becoming involved in county lines.  

Produced by RIVR and local theatre group Next Generation Youth Theatre, the film tells the fictional story of Rhys, a 14-year-old boy from Bedfordshire who is gradually groomed into becoming a runner for a county drugs line. 

What starts as a small favour for a friend, ends Rhys facing a significant amount of time behind bars after a violent encounter with a fellow drugs gang member.  

It is believed to be the first virtual reality film of its kind to be created by a police force for schools. 

It will be piloted in select schools across the county from June onwards by the force’s Education and Diversion team, before being fully rolled out across the county from September onwards. It will include a lesson plan around county lines, such as signs of exploitation to look out for and what children should do if they have concerns. 

Not my child: Spotting the signs of exploitation 

Exploitation can happen to any child or young person, regardless of background, ethnicity, age, gender or religion.  

As part of its Lost Boys campaign, Bedfordshire Police is working to raise awareness amongst parents and carers of the signs of exploitation.  

This will include hosting educational awareness events and webinars.  

There are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is involved in county lines: 

• repeatedly going missing from school or home and being found in other areas 
• having money, new clothes or electronic devices and they can’t explain how they paid for them 
• getting high numbers of texts or phone calls, being secretive about who they’re speaking to 
• decline in school or work performance 
• significant changes in emotional or physical well-being 

Find out more about county lines, including what they are and how they operate.

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