Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent meetings (a) he, (b) other Ministers and (c) staff of his Department have had with (i) the British Transport Police, (ii) taxi firms and (iii) private hire vehicle (minicab) firms on tackling the county lines drug trade.

We recognise the value and opportunity presented by those working in the transport sector to identify perpetrators and potential victims of county lines who are being exploited to move drugs. The Home Office has therefore been working with Crimestoppers to deliver an awareness raising campaign with these sectors about county lines.

The Home Office has met with representatives of the British Transport Police, local authority taxi licensing managers, Licensed Private Hire Car Association and Über and officials continue to engage with the transport sector in tackling county lines.