The Town Hall is leading calls for the government to protect young people at risk of exploitation in drug-dealing operations run by London gangs in counties as far away as Cornwall.

Islington education chief Councillor Joe Caluori has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd asking for a meeting to discuss the issue, in a letter co-signed by 19 London boroughs.

The practice, known in police circles as “running county lines”, involves gangs selling drugs, usually crack cocaine and heroin, in towns outside London using a telephone number people can ring to make orders.

In November, the Tribune revealed that 75 Islington youngsters are known to be involved in a growing and lucrative drug trade run by London gangs outside the capital.

According to the council, older gang members reduce their personal risks and maximise profits by grooming vulnerable young people to travel, sometimes hundreds of miles, to sell drugs, before returning to their gangmasters with the proceeds.

Exploited vulnerable children from London, some as young as 12, have been found operating county lines in locations as far away as Cornwall and south Wales.

Cllr Caluori’s letter warns that the issue needs a national approach involving the National Crime Agency, police forces and local authorities across the country.

He said: “We have seen in Islington how organised gangs are exploiting vulnerable young people who run drugs, money and even weapons to remote locations.

“This problem crosses local authority and police boundaries, and by its very nature requires a national solution from the Home Office. We all need to work together on this to safeguard vulnerable young people – and urgently.”

• Keywords
  GANGS (CRIMINAL), DRUG ABUSE, YOUNG PEOPLE
• Geographical keyword
  ISLINGTON (LONDON BOROUGH)
• Persons keyword
  Joe Caluori, Amber Rudd