Crisis talks on County Lines drugs in Staffordshire

It will also be questioned whether children are being exploited as part of drugs operations across the area.

Cannock Chase Council's community scrutiny committee is due to meet today to discuss what can be done to tackle County Lines dealing in Cannock Chase.

Just last month 12 people were jailed and 13 arrested as part of a week targeting County Lines activity in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Police said the groups use vulnerable young people, often aged 14 to 24, to traffic the drugs after deals are agreed remotely through a mobile or 'line'.

Councillor Maureen Freeman, who is an ex-police officer, requested that the issue be discussed at the committee's meeting in July.

She said: "It's no good hiding it - Cannock Chase has had and is having problems with drugs, even in recent months.

"I'm wanting to know how many vulnerable people have been affected by this issue in Staffordshire and one of my questions was going to be about children who have been expelled from school and if they have been exploited or are they being exploited in any way and how is this affecting Cannock.

"We don't want this is our district and I feel very strongly about drug misuse and child exploitation.

"I want to know how many children in Staffordshire have been affected by this and in particular the Cannock Chase district."

She added: "Nationally young people are being used and exploited and that is why I want to find out what evidence we have got about it affecting our area.

"We know that drugs have been very prevalent within our town parks and it has a devastating effect with needles here there and everywhere.

"People need to know that their child is involved with this before it is too late, it's such a scary issue."

The meeting will be held in the Esperance Room at the Civic Centre at 3.30pm.