TrappedInCountyLines

Story by @ChristiGabbitas - Illustrated by Alicia Abbott - Animated by @initcreative1 Partnership @NYorksPolice @NorthYorksPFCC

[TrappedInCountyLines @TrappedCLines]

If you would like to learn more about @ChristiGabbitas story, here’s a link to the story and animation. #BookOfTheWeek @NSPCC @NSPCCLearning
#countylines #cce #debtbondage #cuckooing #modernslavery

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

I had the privilege of meeting Brayden Hartley, and the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Phil Riley. Brayden’s poem was published in the award-winning "Listen Up" poetry book, that gave young people a voice about county lines exploitation and knife crime.
This post is poignant, as this is the @kinsellatrust KNIFE CRIME AWARENESS week, which I'm proud to be supporting. I am a strong advocate for amplifying the voices of children and young people, and I have listened to their feedback, which has inspired me to create a follow-up initiative that remains open until the end of June; details can be found here. https://t.co/pXnXJyZVbQ

FREE animation resources to help educate and talk around the issues are available here:
No More Knives or County Lines: (includes injury from stabbing) https://t.co/OYHgYjFbuz
Trapped in County Lines (fatality from stabbing)
https://t.co/7qkAkChlRg
Missing: https://t.co/7uRJsnwOJj

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Very proud to have received this book award that gave young people a voice about county lines exploitation and knife crime. I attended Rossett School in Harrogate to thank Imogen Johnson, for being the catalyst for the project.
Here’s the article by @Haydnpress @yorkpress
https://t.co/YCNwQWsP4c
@kinsellatrust

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Thank you so much to the directors of the People's Book Prize for recognising the value in this work. This is a great accolade to all the published writers.

Huge thanks to all the children and young people who submitted work for this anthology. This voluntary inititive was part inspired by a student from Rossett High in Harrogate, who submitted a poem to North Yorkshire Police, after a session i delivered with them.

After delivering sessions into hundreds of schools, I was shocked at the lack of education surrounding county lines exploitation and related knife crime after hearing so many distressing real life stories while working on my commissioned projects, making our children and young people more vulnerable.

I recieved poems and lyrics from across the UK, including children and young people who have been exploited. This initiative was a great way to give children and young people a voice.

Special thanks to North Yorkshire Police @YMCALincs , and Dean Coady OBE SRMC for believing in my mission and assisting me with funding.

Huge thanks to all the judges from various ranks in policing, victims of exploitation, youth workers, social workers, parents, carers, and spoken words artists who have all supported me, including Tracey Holdsworth NSPCC, and Sandra Baah at Catch22 charity.

Thanks to the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) for their continued support with this
project.

Listen Up has so far raised £3,200 for @NSPCC Childline: https://t.co/zCJWnJC16g

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Thanks @yorkpress @Haydnpress for highlighting my work with the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC)
More early education ‘face to face’ intervention is needed in ALL primary and secondary schools. Since working on my commissioned projects, it’s evident that any child anywhere can be a victim of exploitation.@ChildrensComm @annelongfield

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

The launch of the second phase of my national initiative focused on educating about the devastating impacts of county lines exploitation and associated knife crime is now open until June 30th 2026.
Every day, children and young people are going missing due to exploitation. We are inviting young people aged 12-21 to write lyrics/poetry on the subject. Here’s a link to the animation that’s based on a true story. https://t.co/3JXl1gdsU1…

This initiative also offers a fantastic opportunity for entrants to have their poetry/lyrics published in the Listen Up2! book, with a chance to win a top prize of £500 in vouchers or cash. Please remember that all entries must be submitted with the involvement of a mentor, school representative, parent, or guardian.
Here’s a link to the website with judges from across the UK! https://t.co/xc9ZivCvX6

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

The best time to venture out for an early morning run. Enjoy your Easter Monday. 🐣

I’m running 40 x 10k’s for @nspcc Childline’s 40th Birthday💚. If you would like to help give children a lifeline with childline, join our team to help raise awareness, or donate here: https://t.co/zCJWnJC16g

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Yesterday, I was proud to be presenting at my fourth National County Lines
Coordination Centre (NCLCC) conference for the Yorkshire and Humber region, held at the Guildhall York.
During my talk, I continued to highlight the positive outcomes of my early intervention work on county lines exploitation and associated crime in primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges, which i’ve been working on since 2019. It was rewarding and reassuring to receive positive feedback from delegates.

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Today, i will be speaking and sharing the positive impact of my earlier intervention work in primary, secondary schools, and colleges at the @YHROCU with National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) in #York.
#countylines #knifecrime #exploitation

[National Crime Agency (NCA) @NCA_UK]

A drug dealer who was caught with multiple weapons has been jailed after attempting to import a firearm.

Officers from the Organised Crime Partnership – a joint NCA and @metpoliceuk unit – investigated 19-year-old Henri Nikolli.

Full story ➡️ https://t.co/zXpoZ6z99Q

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Lovely scenes out running this morning.
Another 10k for @NSPCC #Childline40thBirthday. Current team total in celebration of this vital service is 🥁🥁🥁£2,637. Target £40k. Click here to donate, or join our team: https://t.co/T6qsxKvUK8
💚🤗

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Today, I was invited to speak at the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) with South West Regional Organised Crime Unit @SWROCU conference held in Gloucester. This marks the third conference sharing my early intervention work for NCLCC.

I was fortunate to connect with some incredible people during the event. It’s reassuring to know that we all share a common belief in the importance of early intervention, especially as children are increasingly becoming victims of exploitation at younger ages. I was shocked to learn that even six-year-olds are being targeted!

Special mention to all speakers: @DrLBainbridge DC Paul Ben, Devon Cornwall Police, DC James Rudge Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Escapeline, and Challenge Academy.
Not forgetting Forensic Analytics Ltd, Gus the wellbeing dog @OscarKiloNine, and the inspirational Androulla (Andri) Vai Nicolaou @ASPolice who has been very supportive of my national initiative.

Huge thanks you to T/DCI Mark Whittaker @Glos_Police , Helen Rowe, and Sarah Hutton for making me welcome.

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

The sessions are already having a lasting impact. Here’s an entry i received this afternoon. I’m back in the school tomorrow with Y9 & 10.
The sessions I conduct on county lines, related crime, and knife crime are not just a fleeting experience. They offer valuable insights and awareness through the art of storytelling.

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

More sessions at Clifton Community School, Rotherham. Thanks to students and teachers for the warm welcome.

During the sessions, I shared insights from research on the narratives I create to raise awareness about county lines exploitation and related criminal activities.

I also highlighted the national initiative that has given young people an opportunity to express themselves through poetry and lyrics, and recited some poems. The students were invited to submit work.

A special thank you to the South Yorkshire Police Child Exploitation Teams for commissioning my work and acknowledging its effectiveness.
@SY_VRU @YHROCU

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

I missed posting for #WorldPoetryDay yesterday. Here’s details of our initiative that’s open to young people across the UK.
Prizes (1st,2nd, 3rd) of £500, £250, & £150, with an opportunity to be published in the second Listen Up! book. More details here:
https://t.co/Eg8Bb9T8FL

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Here’s what pupils from St John Fisher Catholic Academy, Harrogate, had to say about my session and story Missing.
Here’s a link to the animation: https://t.co/3QFUjy5xiB
Printed version: https://t.co/ePjr1F0Alk
#countylines #knifecrime

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Here’s what a student from Oasis Don Valley Academy, Sheffield, had to say about my session and story Trapped in County Lines.
Supported by South Yorkshire Police
#countylines #knifecrime
@SY_VRU

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Here’s what a student at Oasis Don Valley Academy, #Sheffield, had to say about my session. I talked about my work as a writer and extensive research that i’ve been undertaking on the issues of county lines exploitation and associated crime since 2019.

The session was funded and attended by South Yorkshire Police Child Criminal Exploitation Team.
#countylines

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Huge thanks to teachers and students at St John Fisher Catholic Academy #Harrogate for making me welcome yesterday.

I presented a session focused on the issue of county lines exploitation and the related criminal activities. During my session, I shared insights into the narratives of my stories, informing students about the extensive research into my writing, and highlighted the collaboration I've had with North Yorkshire Police, and other forces.
Special thanks to the students who agreed to be interviewed.

[The Press @yorkpress]

'Children are going missing everyday' - message at North Yorkshire schools https://t.co/7MX4ZOgwH9

[Christina Gabbitas @ChristiGabbitas]

Meet Imogen from Rossett High in #Harrogate. Imogen inspired me to create a national initiative aimed at giving children and young people a platform to express themselves through poetry and lyrics.
As a result, I received submissions from all over the UK, addressing county lines exploitation, knife crime, and related issues. We selected the top 40 poems and lyrics to be featured in an anthology called Listen Up, which has been recognised by the People’s Book Prize. You can find it here: https://t.co/DvPmoYBYzX
Thanks to the fantastic engagement from young people, I’m excited to announce a second initiative that will be open until May 30th. For more details, click here:
https://t.co/0UUOzVXMpf
All proceeds from sales will support the @NSPCC Childline service, which is celebrating its 40th birthday. Here’s the link to join my running team , or make a donation: https://t.co/zCJWnJCyVO