THOUSANDS of students in Gloucestershire will see a thought provoking production around county lines drug dealing in a bid to educate and safeguard them.

The play highlights tactics used by those involved in the county lines - such as targeting vulnerable children and teenagers and persuading them to become drug mules.

AlterEgo Creative Solutions, who created the production, are taking it on a four-week tour of Gloucestershire and will visit around 40 schools in total.

It shows the way in which children are offered money, drugs and other “gifts” in exchange for delivering and dealing drugs.

It also covers cuckooing - where drug dealers take over someone’s property - and how violence can be used to control the drugs runners.

Members Gloucestershire Constabulary, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Stroud District Council were invited to South Gloucestershire and Stroud College for a viewing of the play - County Lines - performed by AlterEgo Creative Solutions at the Stroud campus last week.

Funded by cash from the Commissioner’s Fund, the aim of the performances is to create a conversation about issues which the viewers could experience, the signs to look out for, and how and where to get help and support.

Stroud Inspector Sarah Blake said: “This is about prevention rather than the aftermath.

“The reality is that county lines can impact anywhere at any time and so it is about being aware of signs to look out for and what they can do to prevent themselves from being drawn in.

“County lines has been a national issue, and has been seen across Gloucestershire and here in Stroud.

“Therefore anything which can be done to spread the message and dangers of how these criminals exploit and traffic vulnerable children, teenagers and people, is a positive step.”

Tackling county lines is a priority for Gloucestershire Constabulary and their work in this area has resulted in more than 200 years of jail time for those involved in drugs operations so far.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl said: "The threat posed by organised criminal gangs who cross county lines in search of vulnerable people to exploit is one everyone has to be on their guard against.

"This is a brilliant way of getting the message across to different target age groups.

"It's interesting to see, as the production develops, how the audience reacts from being fairly blasé to stunned silence by the end.

"The characters are very realistic and the lesson all the stronger for that.

"Working with the Stroud Community Safety Partnership, we have been able to address many issues down the years, all of them relevant to my Police and Crime Plan priorities and I look forward to continuing that relationship in the future."

Councillor Mattie Ross, who chairs Stroud District Council’s Community Services and Licensing Committee, said: "Having seen the play myself, it highlights very well how illegal drug dealing networks can infiltrate communities and suck in young people without them realising what they are getting in to.

"The trade and use of illegal drugs ruins lives and this play is a very effective way of getting the message across to thousands of children about the dangers they may face."

Anyone with information about drug dealing activity is advised to contact their local neighbourhood team.

Information can also be submitted anonymously to independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.