Drug Gang Activity and Policing Responses in an English Seaside Town: ‘County Lines’, ‘Cuckooing’ and Community Impacts

While there have been many studies examining gangs involved in the distribution of illegal drugs in cities, relatively few have examined the nature of gang trends in small towns. In England gangs have been expanding into new territories outside major cities, but the academic literature has been slow to report this noteworthy development. In the study of drug gang activity in a small coastal town of Clacton in Essex, interviewing of local residents and analysing crime statistics were conducted, which was followed-up periodically over the ensuing 18 months. Results identified crimes that can be attributed to gang activity, the kind of individuals involved in those crimes, why gangs are targeting Clacton and similar towns, and what police and community responses have been – and could be in the future. Ultimately, the data highlighted how drug gangs in Clacton appear to represent a hybrid between traditional street gangs and organised crime groups.