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Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Shameful secret of UK's most beautiful city as drug lords ship in runners young as 13 & stash Bond-style golden guns
Over 100 arrests have been made in dramatic police operation after 'huge' surge in violence on city's picturesque streets BEAUTY & THE BEASTS Shameful secret of UK's most beautiful city as drug lords ship in runners young as 13 & stash Bond-style golden guns Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOARDS of tourists flock to pretty, historic York every day - but beneath the surface lies a dark underbelly of county lines criminality which sees kids as young as 13 deal drugs on street corners. The city - which regularly tops polls of the UK's most beautiful places to live - is famous for its quaint medieval streets, boutique shops and magnificent cathedral. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 17 York regularly ranks as one of the most beautiful cities in the UK Credit: Getty 17 Recent police busts have shone a light on the county lines gangs gripping its streets Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 A case full of cash seized in a recent raid Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 A James Bond-style 'golden gun' was also seized Credit: North Yorkshire Police But locals tell us that behind the scenes youngsters are being exploited and forced to run drugs and cash to the area, which is rife with dealing and addiction. At York Station, a stone's throw from the National Railway Museum, home to some of the world's oldest steam engines, the gates are wide open, meaning you don't have to show a ticket to enter the city. This makes it all the easier for vulnerable youngsters - who are also being shipped in by gangs via taxis - to arrive in York unchecked. The northern city, located less than 30 miles from Leeds, attracts nine million visitors every year and is one of the UK's most popular tourist hotspots. But the issue of county lines is so severe North Yorkshire Police have launched a mammoth operation, named Project Titan, to tackle the criminality it's brought to the area. Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Page, Operation Titan's lead, told a local paper it was in response to a 'huge increase in violence related incidents' in the city since last September. Earlier this year they arrested 113 people in just four months as part of their investigation, during which both plain clothed and uniformed officers carry out surveillance in the worst hit parts of the city. The term 'county lines' refers to the trafficking of illegal substances into smaller areas via public transport, away from bigger destinations like Birmingham and Liverpool. But shockingly, it's commonly students and school children who are exploited to act as drug runners or move wads of cash. In York, locals direct us to the Clifton area on the outskirts of the city, where they say the problem is rife. The ketamine kids ravaging UK town as dealers hit PRIMARY schools & teen girls draw business plans to become drug lords One recent police bust certainly backed up their claims, with astonishing pictures showing hauls of vacuum packed drugs, wads of huge sums of cash, six mobile phones and a pistol-style BB gun seized from a property. A man in his 20s suspected of importing drugs has been arrested. Dealers on doorsteps In Clifton, one 64-year-old woman named Julie, who didn't want to give her surname, tells us county lines gangs are on her doorstep. She said: "Last year it was terrible for drugs, crime and knives. 17 Hoards of tourists flock to historic, beautiful York every day Credit: NNP 17 The train station has no barriers which make it easier for gangs to ship in young runners Credit: NNP 17 The Clifton area of York is particularly vulnerable to county lines operations Credit: NNP 17 Police officers in York have made more than 100 arrests following the introduction of Project Titan Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 Adam Luke Reynard supplied hard drugs including heroin to York residents Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 Another major bust saw a drug ring led by father/son duo Michael and James Leaf taken down "Police have been around here every single day to try and clean it up. "Only recently there were loads of police from Liverpool, so that just shows it's county lines. "It was Liverpool CID so they must have been thinking the drugs were being brought in from there. "They were walking the streets and knocking on doors. "It is the vulnerable people who are getting exploited. "York is a nice place but if you come out of the big centre on to the outskirts then the drugs are all over. "Clifton is starting to get tidied up but it's still a problem." Shabby-looking flats on terraced streets fill the area, whilst a knife drop-off box has been placed just metres away from busy shops. The amnesty box encourages people to safely discard of blades and weapons anonymously. We know county lines is an issue because young people are getting arrested and there are undercover coppers driving around the streets Jake Noble, 22, said: "I see drugs being dealt from outside my window every day. "It's just normal and you get used to it. It's definitely younger people doing it. "But I think people doing the deals get roped into it by people higher up. "There's a supply and chain where the drugs start at the top and works their way down. "It's about trying to find the ringleaders but it must be hard." Retired engineer Shirley Richardson, 74, added: "I see children as young as 13 on these streets with drugs. "It's horrible and not a surprise to anyone living around here. "I have no idea where they bring the drugs in from but people say its from outside of York. "It's a terrible issue. When I was younger nothing like this happened. "Kids smoke on the street on their push bikes as if it's normal." Drugs hub Among the tourist attractions in York is The Shambles, a narrow street of medieval buildings with overhanging floors which jut out over the cobbles below. Home to quaint cafes and boutique shops, its believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. 17 A weapons bin on the streets in the Clifton area of York Credit: NNP 17 Student Elliot MacInnes said drug culture is 'more insidious that people realise' Credit: NNP York Minster and the ancient city walls are also a major draw for visitors. The cathedral is one of the most magnificent in the world and dates back to the seventh century. And the Jorvik Viking Centre and National Railway Museum have been popular destinations for school trips from all over the north of England for decades. But away from its booming tourism industry which fetches almost two billion pounds per year, organised criminal groups are flooding the city with class A drugs. With multiple links to neighbouring locations like Leeds and Sheffield, York has become the big target for gangs to go about their business. Just this week, a 'professional' county lines drug dealer was jailed for more than four years for peddling heroin and crack cocaine in the city. County lines is everywhere across the UK and especially in cities like York Adam Reynard, 33, ran what police called the 'AJ Line', which was set up to flood the city's streets with Class A drugs, York Crown Court heard. A few miles away in Acomb to the west of York, pensioner Patricia Mercer says the drug problem is rife. The former council worker's oldest great-grandchild is 12-years-old and she worries about the exploitation happening to kids his age. The 77-year-old said: "Kids around here have nothing to do. There's not a thing here for them on the outskirts. "Because of that they get bored. Youngsters used to go out and meet their mates or go to youth clubs. 17 York's beauty spots attract visitors from around the world Credit: NNP 17 Its famous minster is an iconic landmark Credit: NNP "We know county lines is an issue because young people are getting arrested and there are undercover coppers driving around the streets. "We know very well what they're looking for. "I think the drugs are coming from bigger places outside of York then get brought in." She added: "The young people get groomed to work for these people. "I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren and it's those who you worry about. "My eldest great-grandson is 12 and that's around the age you hear of these people targeting. "You do worry because sometimes it's the quieter ones who might get targeted by criminal groups." Nightclub dealers There is a combined student population of 50,000 in the city, home to York University, a member of the Russell Group, as well as York St John University. It is claimed that drug taking among students is part of the culture, as it is in other areas of the country. One student told us: "It didn't surprise me when I found out these arrests were made. "Drug taking is rife among students and you see dealing happening all the time outside on the street." Another student added: "You hear stories about what goes on, and you see drugs being dealt in nightclub toilets. 17 Other areas of the city receive less investment Credit: NNP 17 A Rolex watch seized in a police raid Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 Drugs were found vacuum packed Credit: North Yorkshire Police "The dealing definitely happens around here but often people don't even realise it's going on. "It doesn't surprise me these arrests were made but it might surprise others. "I don't take drugs myself but it happens in the university culture." Psychology student Elliot MacInnes, 21, said: "You hear about the county lines happening. "It might be surprising to other people outside of York that it happens. "It is a lot more insidious that people realise. "Often it goes under the radar with how young the kids are that are affected. "County lines is everywhere across the UK and especially in cities like York. "There is drug culture with young people at university but it seems to happen all over the country. "It definitely happens even outside of the city in smaller towns. "I have heard that young people are becoming targeted more and more." Criminal suburbs Two pals Harvey Hunter and Tyler Combs, both 20, say the city is divided by its plush centre and criminal suburbs. Harvey, a ground worker, said: "I think York is more blended so it becomes a target. "It's less on top of you and less busy than other places so maybe that's why it is happening. "It's close to Leeds and Bradford so there are links into the city. "The older people send younger ones to do jobs for them. "It can be a lot of money for a younger person so they accept." Tyler said: "York does have this problem but it's like most places in the country. "It's their choice if they want to get involved and say yes. Unfortunately it's in their hands but it definitely happens. "Everywhere you go people are selling this and dealing that. "York is a quality place to live. It does have its rough places and you do get people who get busted for county lines. "A lot of people come to York for tourism so maybe they feel they can get away with hiding it." York in stats It's no surprise that living up north tends to be cheaper than the south. However, due to York's popularity, it is slightly more expensive to live in than other northern cities. The average house price in York is currently £305,000, while average monthly rent is £1,122 as of 2025. For the UK as a whole, the average house price is £271,000. In 2023/2024, the Office for National Statistics revealed 79.4 per cent of York's population between the ages of 16 to 64 were in employment. This left 2.5 per cent of the population - or 2,900 people - unemployed. In the UK, about 4.4 per cent of the population over the age of 16 is unemployed, latest figures show. Danny Kilner lives in the Acomb area of York and helps get young people off the street and out of trouble. The 37-year-old store manager said: "It is a problem in York with youngsters. "Parents need to be a bit stricter but then again, how do you stop it? "I have a 12-year-old and I worry for lads his age. I help out at York Acorn Rugby Club and we try to get as many young people in there as possible. "It helps teach them discipline and gets them off the street. "It's really important to give them something to do and get them involved with something. "I help out and we have 20-odd kids from under 9 to under 15. "They could be the ones to get sucked in so you have to try and help." Project Titan's lead, DCI Shaun Page from North Yorkshire Police said: "113 arrests in four months is extremely positive, but there are still suspected drugs lines operating across York. "Using a significant number of investigative strategies the team has worked relentlessly to tackle drug use, drug related crime and criminal exploitation. "Our commitment continues, working in close partnership with other agencies, including the City of York Council, ensures a holistic, preventative approach, reducing harm to our communities. "However, I must stress the importance of having the public on our side. Please remain vigilant, if there is something that doesn't look quite right, it probably isn't."
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Shameful secret of UK's most beautiful city as drug lords ship in runners young as 13 & stash Bond-style golden guns
HOARDS of tourists flock to pretty, historic York every day - but beneath the surface lies a dark underbelly of county lines criminality which sees kids as young as 13 deal drugs on street corners. The city - which regularly tops polls of the 17 York regularly ranks as one of the most beautiful cities in the UK Credit: Getty 17 Recent police busts have shone a light on the county lines gangs gripping its streets Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 A case full of cash seized in a recent raid Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 A James Bond-style 'golden gun' was also seized Credit: North Yorkshire Police But locals tell us that behind the scenes youngsters are being exploited and forced to run drugs and cash to the area, which is rife with dealing and addiction. At York Station, a stone's throw from the This makes it all the easier for vulnerable youngsters - who are also being shipped in by gangs via taxis - to arrive in York unchecked. The northern city, located less than 30 miles from Leeds, attracts nine million visitors every year and is one of the UK's most popular tourist hotspots. But the issue of county lines is so severe North Yorkshire Police have launched a mammoth operation, named Project Titan, to tackle the criminality it's brought to the area. Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Page, Operation Titan's lead, told a Earlier this year they arrested 113 people in just four months as part of their investigation, during which both plain clothed and uniformed officers carry out surveillance in the worst hit parts of the city. The term 'county lines' refers to the trafficking of illegal substances into smaller areas via public transport, away from bigger destinations like Birmingham and Liverpool. Most read in The Sun But shockingly, it's commonly students and school children who are exploited to act as drug runners or move wads of cash. In York, locals direct us to the Clifton area on the outskirts of the city, where they say the problem is rife. The ketamine kids ravaging UK town as dealers hit PRIMARY schools & teen girls draw business plans to become drug lords One recent police bust certainly backed up their claims, with astonishing pictures showing hauls of vacuum packed drugs, wads of huge sums of cash, six mobile phones and a pistol-style BB gun seized from a property. A man in his 20s suspected of importing drugs has been arrested. Dealers on doorsteps In Clifton, one 64-year-old woman named Julie, who didn't want to give her surname, tells us county lines gangs are on her doorstep. She said: "Last year it was terrible for drugs, crime and knives. 17 Hoards of tourists flock to historic, beautiful York every day Credit: NNP 17 The train station has no barriers which make it easier for gangs to ship in young runners Credit: NNP 17 The Clifton area of York is particularly vulnerable to county lines operations Credit: NNP 17 Police officers in York have made more than 100 arrests following the introduction of Project Titan Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 Adam Luke Reynard supplied hard drugs including heroin to York residents Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 Another major bust saw a drug ring led by father/son duo Michael and James Leaf taken down "Police have been around here every single day to try and clean it up. "Only recently there were loads of police from Liverpool, so that just shows it's county lines. "It was Liverpool CID so they must have been thinking the drugs were being brought in from there. "They were walking the streets and knocking on doors. "It is the vulnerable people who are getting exploited. "York is a nice place but if you come out of the big centre on to the outskirts then the drugs are all over. "Clifton is starting to get tidied up but it's still a problem." Shabby-looking flats on terraced streets fill the area, whilst a knife drop-off box has been placed just metres away from busy shops. The amnesty box encourages people to safely discard of blades and weapons anonymously. We know county lines is an issue because young people are getting arrested and there are undercover coppers driving around the streets Jake Noble, 22, said: "I see drugs being dealt from outside my window every day. "It's just normal and you get used to it. It's definitely younger people doing it. "But I think people doing the deals get roped into it by people higher up. "There's a supply and chain where the drugs start at the top and works their way down. "It's about trying to find the ringleaders but it must be hard." Retired engineer Shirley Richardson, 74, added: "I see children as young as 13 on these streets with drugs. "It's horrible and not a surprise to anyone living around here. "I have no idea where they bring the drugs in from but people say its from outside of York. "It's a terrible issue. When I was younger nothing like this happened. "Kids smoke on the street on their push bikes as if it's normal." Drugs hub Among the tourist attractions in York is The Shambles, a narrow street of medieval buildings with overhanging floors which jut out over the cobbles below. Home to quaint cafes and boutique shops, its believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. 17 A weapons bin on the streets in the Clifton area of York Credit: NNP 17 Student Elliot MacInnes said drug culture is 'more insidious that people realise' Credit: NNP York Minster and the ancient city walls are also a major draw for visitors. The cathedral is one of the most magnificent in the world and dates back to the seventh century. And the Jorvik Viking Centre and National Railway Museum have been popular destinations for school trips from all over the north of England for decades. But away from its booming tourism industry which fetches almost two billion pounds per year, organised criminal groups are flooding the city with class A drugs. With multiple links to neighbouring locations like Leeds and Sheffield, York has become the big target for gangs to go about their business. Just this week, a 'professional' county lines drug dealer was jailed for more than four years for peddling heroin and crack cocaine in the city. County lines is everywhere across the UK and especially in cities like York Adam Reynard, 33, ran what police called the 'AJ Line', which was set up to flood the city's streets with Class A drugs, York Crown Court heard. A few miles away in Acomb to the west of York, pensioner Patricia Mercer says the drug problem is rife. The former council worker's oldest great-grandchild is 12-years-old and she worries about the exploitation happening to kids his age. The 77-year-old said: "Kids around here have nothing to do. There's not a thing here for them on the outskirts. "Because of that they get bored. Youngsters used to go out and meet their mates or go to youth clubs. 17 York's beauty spots attract visitors from around the world Credit: NNP 17 Its famous minster is an iconic landmark Credit: NNP "We know county lines is an issue because young people are getting arrested and there are undercover coppers driving around the streets. "We know very well what they're looking for. "I think the drugs are coming from bigger places outside of York then get brought in." She added: "The young people get groomed to work for these people. "I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren and it's those who you worry about. "My eldest great-grandson is 12 and that's around the age you hear of these people targeting. "You do worry because sometimes it's the quieter ones who might get targeted by criminal groups." Nightclub dealers There is a combined student population of 50,000 in the city, home to York University, a member of the Russell Group, as well as York St John University. It is claimed that drug taking among students is part of the culture, as it is in other areas of the country. One student told us: "It didn't surprise me when I found out these arrests were made. "Drug taking is rife among students and you see dealing happening all the time outside on the street." Another student added: "You hear stories about what goes on, and you see drugs being dealt in nightclub toilets. 17 Other areas of the city receive less investment Credit: NNP 17 A Rolex watch seized in a police raid Credit: North Yorkshire Police 17 Drugs were found vacuum packed Credit: North Yorkshire Police "The dealing definitely happens around here but often people don't even realise it's going on. "It doesn't surprise me these arrests were made but it might surprise others. "I don't take drugs myself but it happens in the university culture." Psychology student Elliot MacInnes, 21, said: "You hear about the county lines happening. "It might be surprising to other people outside of York that it happens. "It is a lot more insidious that people realise. "Often it goes under the radar with how young the kids are that are affected. "County lines is everywhere across the UK and especially in cities like York. "There is drug culture with young people at university but it seems to happen all over the country. "It definitely happens even outside of the city in smaller towns. "I have heard that young people are becoming targeted more and more." Criminal suburbs Two pals Harvey Hunter and Tyler Combs, both 20, say the city is divided by its plush centre and criminal suburbs. Harvey, a ground worker, said: "I think York is more blended so it becomes a target. "It's less on top of you and less busy than other places so maybe that's why it is happening. "It's close to Leeds and Bradford so there are links into the city. "The older people send younger ones to do jobs for them. "It can be a lot of money for a younger person so they accept." Tyler said: "York does have this problem but it's like most places in the country. "It's their choice if they want to get involved and say yes. Unfortunately it's in their hands but it definitely happens. "Everywhere you go people are selling this and dealing that. "York is a quality place to live. It does have its rough places and you do get people who get busted for county lines. "A lot of people come to York for tourism so maybe they feel they can get away with hiding it." York in stats It's no surprise that living up north tends to be cheaper than the south. However, due to York's popularity, it is slightly more expensive to live in than other northern cities. The average house price in York is currently £305,000, while average monthly rent is £1,122 as of 2025. For the UK as a whole, the average house price is £271,000. In 2023/2024, the Office for National Statistics revealed 79.4 per cent of York's population between the ages of 16 to 64 were in employment. This left 2.5 per cent of the population - or 2,900 people - unemployed. In the UK, about 4.4 per cent of the population over the age of 16 is unemployed, latest figures show. Danny Kilner lives in the Acomb area of York and helps get young people off the street and out of trouble. The 37-year-old store manager said: "It is a problem in York with youngsters. "Parents need to be a bit stricter but then again, how do you stop it? "I have a 12-year-old and I worry for lads his age. I help out at York Acorn Rugby Club and we try to get as many young people in there as possible. "It helps teach them discipline and gets them off the street. "It's really important to give them something to do and get them involved with something. "I help out and we have 20-odd kids from under 9 to under 15. "They could be the ones to get sucked in so you have to try and help." Project Titan's lead, DCI Shaun Page from North Yorkshire Police said: "113 arrests in four months is extremely positive, but there are still suspected drugs lines operating across York. "Using a significant number of investigative strategies the team has worked relentlessly to tackle drug use, drug related crime and criminal exploitation. Read more on the Irish Sun "Our commitment continues, working in close partnership with other agencies, including the City of York Council, ensures a holistic, preventative approach, reducing harm to our communities. "However, I must stress the importance of having the public on our side. Please remain vigilant, if there is something that doesn't look quite right, it probably isn't."
The Sun
26-05-2025
- The Sun
Shameful secret of UK's most beautiful city as drug lords ship in runners young as 13 & stash Bond-style golden guns
HOARDS of tourists flock to pretty, historic York every day - but beneath the surface lies a dark underbelly of county lines criminality which sees kids as young as 13 deal drugs on street corners. The city - which regularly tops polls of the UK's most beautiful places to live - is famous for its quaint medieval streets, boutique shops and magnificent cathedral. 17 17 17 17 But locals tell us that behind the scenes youngsters are being exploited and forced to run drugs and cash to the area, which is rife with dealing and addiction. At York Station, a stone's throw from the National Railway Museum, home to some of the world's oldest steam engines, the gates are wide open, meaning you don't have to show a ticket to enter the city. This makes it all the easier for vulnerable youngsters - who are also being shipped in by gangs via taxis - to arrive in York unchecked. The northern city, located less than 30 miles from Leeds, attracts nine million visitors every year and is one of the UK's most popular tourist hotspots. But the issue of county lines is so severe North Yorkshire Police have launched a mammoth operation, named Project Titan, to tackle the criminality it's brought to the area. Detective Chief Inspector Shaun Page, Operation Titan's lead, told a local paper it was in response to a 'huge increase in violence related incidents' in the city since last September. Earlier this year they arrested 113 people in just four months as part of their investigation, during which both plain clothed and uniformed officers carry out surveillance in the worst hit parts of the city. The term 'county lines' refers to the trafficking of illegal substances into smaller areas via public transport, away from bigger destinations like Birmingham and Liverpool. But shockingly, it's commonly students and school children who are exploited to act as drug runners or move wads of cash. In York, locals direct us to the Clifton area on the outskirts of the city, where they say the problem is rife. The ketamine kids ravaging UK town as dealers hit PRIMARY schools & teen girls draw business plans to become drug lords One recent police bust certainly backed up their claims, with astonishing pictures showing hauls of vacuum packed drugs, wads of huge sums of cash, six mobile phones and a pistol-style BB gun seized from a property. A man in his 20s suspected of importing drugs has been arrested. Dealers on doorsteps In Clifton, one 64-year-old woman named Julie, who didn't want to give her surname, tells us county lines gangs are on her doorstep. She said: "Last year it was terrible for drugs, crime and knives. 17 17 17 17 17 17 "Police have been around here every single day to try and clean it up. "Only recently there were loads of police from Liverpool, so that just shows it's county lines. "It was Liverpool CID so they must have been thinking the drugs were being brought in from there. "They were walking the streets and knocking on doors. "It is the vulnerable people who are getting exploited. "York is a nice place but if you come out of the big centre on to the outskirts then the drugs are all over. "Clifton is starting to get tidied up but it's still a problem." Shabby-looking flats on terraced streets fill the area, whilst a knife drop-off box has been placed just metres away from busy shops. The amnesty box encourages people to safely discard of blades and weapons anonymously. We know county lines is an issue because young people are getting arrested and there are undercover coppers driving around the streets Jake Noble, 22, said: "I see drugs being dealt from outside my window every day. "It's just normal and you get used to it. It's definitely younger people doing it. "But I think people doing the deals get roped into it by people higher up. "There's a supply and chain where the drugs start at the top and works their way down. "It's about trying to find the ringleaders but it must be hard." Retired engineer Shirley Richardson, 74, added: "I see children as young as 13 on these streets with drugs. "It's horrible and not a surprise to anyone living around here. "I have no idea where they bring the drugs in from but people say its from outside of York. "It's a terrible issue. When I was younger nothing like this happened. "Kids smoke on the street on their push bikes as if it's normal." Drugs hub Among the tourist attractions in York is The Shambles, a narrow street of medieval buildings with overhanging floors which jut out over the cobbles below. Home to quaint cafes and boutique shops, its believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. 17 17 York Minster and the ancient city walls are also a major draw for visitors. The cathedral is one of the most magnificent in the world and dates back to the seventh century. And the Jorvik Viking Centre and National Railway Museum have been popular destinations for school trips from all over the north of England for decades. But away from its booming tourism industry which fetches almost two billion pounds per year, organised criminal groups are flooding the city with class A drugs. With multiple links to neighbouring locations like Leeds and Sheffield, York has become the big target for gangs to go about their business. Just this week, a 'professional' county lines drug dealer was jailed for more than four years for peddling heroin and crack cocaine in the city. Adam Reynard, 33, ran what police called the 'AJ Line', which was set up to flood the city's streets with Class A drugs, York Crown Court heard. A few miles away in Acomb to the west of York, pensioner Patricia Mercer says the drug problem is rife. The former council worker's oldest great-grandchild is 12-years-old and she worries about the exploitation happening to kids his age. The 77-year-old said: "Kids around here have nothing to do. There's not a thing here for them on the outskirts. "Because of that they get bored. Youngsters used to go out and meet their mates or go to youth clubs. 17 17 "We know county lines is an issue because young people are getting arrested and there are undercover coppers driving around the streets. "We know very well what they're looking for. "I think the drugs are coming from bigger places outside of York then get brought in." She added: "The young people get groomed to work for these people. "I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren and it's those who you worry about. "My eldest great-grandson is 12 and that's around the age you hear of these people targeting. "You do worry because sometimes it's the quieter ones who might get targeted by criminal groups." Nightclub dealers There is a combined student population of 50,000 in the city, home to York University, a member of the Russell Group, as well as York St John University. It is claimed that drug taking among students is part of the culture, as it is in other areas of the country. One student told us: "It didn't surprise me when I found out these arrests were made. "Drug taking is rife among students and you see dealing happening all the time outside on the street." Another student added: "You hear stories about what goes on, and you see drugs being dealt in nightclub toilets. 17 17 17 "The dealing definitely happens around here but often people don't even realise it's going on. "It doesn't surprise me these arrests were made but it might surprise others. "I don't take drugs myself but it happens in the university culture." Psychology student Elliot MacInnes, 21, said: "You hear about the county lines happening. "It might be surprising to other people outside of York that it happens. "It is a lot more insidious that people realise. "Often it goes under the radar with how young the kids are that are affected. "County lines is everywhere across the UK and especially in cities like York. "There is drug culture with young people at university but it seems to happen all over the country. "It definitely happens even outside of the city in smaller towns. "I have heard that young people are becoming targeted more and more." Criminal suburbs Two pals Harvey Hunter and Tyler Combs, both 20, say the city is divided by its plush centre and criminal suburbs. Harvey, a ground worker, said: "I think York is more blended so it becomes a target. "It's less on top of you and less busy than other places so maybe that's why it is happening. "It's close to Leeds and Bradford so there are links into the city. "The older people send younger ones to do jobs for them. "It can be a lot of money for a younger person so they accept." Tyler said: "York does have this problem but it's like most places in the country. "It's their choice if they want to get involved and say yes. Unfortunately it's in their hands but it definitely happens. "Everywhere you go people are selling this and dealing that. "York is a quality place to live. It does have its rough places and you do get people who get busted for county lines. "A lot of people come to York for tourism so maybe they feel they can get away with hiding it." York in stats It's no surprise that living up north tends to be cheaper than the south. However, due to York's popularity, it is slightly more expensive to live in than other northern cities. The average house price in York is currently £305,000, while average monthly rent is £1,122 as of 2025. For the UK as a whole, the average house price is £271,000. In 2023/2024, the Office for National Statistics revealed 79.4 per cent of York's population between the ages of 16 to 64 were in employment. This left 2.5 per cent of the population - or 2,900 people - unemployed. In the UK, about 4.4 per cent of the population over the age of 16 is unemployed, latest figures show. Danny Kilner lives in the Acomb area of York and helps get young people off the street and out of trouble. The 37-year-old store manager said: "It is a problem in York with youngsters. "Parents need to be a bit stricter but then again, how do you stop it? "I have a 12-year-old and I worry for lads his age. I help out at York Acorn Rugby Club and we try to get as many young people in there as possible. "It helps teach them discipline and gets them off the street. "It's really important to give them something to do and get them involved with something. "I help out and we have 20-odd kids from under 9 to under 15. "They could be the ones to get sucked in so you have to try and help." Project Titan's lead, DCI Shaun Page from North Yorkshire Police said: "113 arrests in four months is extremely positive, but there are still suspected drugs lines operating across York. "Using a significant number of investigative strategies the team has worked relentlessly to tackle drug use, drug related crime and criminal exploitation. "Our commitment continues, working in close partnership with other agencies, including the City of York Council, ensures a holistic, preventative approach, reducing harm to our communities. "However, I must stress the importance of having the public on our side. Please remain vigilant, if there is something that doesn't look quite right, it probably isn't."
The Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Foreign investment rises 12% in first quarter
Still growing: A major construction project in Jakarta's business district. Singapore was the source of the highest amount of FDI in Indonesia in the first quarter. — AFP JAKARTA: Indonesia has seen respectable growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first quarter of this year as realised funding reached a quarter of the government's full-year target, while domestic investment grew even faster. Investment and Downstream Minister Rosan Roeslani revealed in a press briefing on Tuesday that the first-quarter FDI amounted to 230.4 trillion rupiah or about US$13.7bil, which marks a 12% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase. 'This was one of the very, very good indicators, very, very positive amid – what we all could see – the increasing geopolitical and geo-economic tensions. But, we see that the appetite of investors, be they foreign or domestic, to invest in Indonesia keeps increasing,' said Rosan. He pointed out that the composition between domestic and foreign investment in the first quarter was unusual in that the domestic investment of 234.8 trillion rupiah outstripped FDI. Rosan argued that this was not because FDI had slowed down, as in fact it had risen, but because the growth of domestic investment at 19.1% y-o-y outpaced the growth of FDI thanks to Indonesians pouring lots of funds into infrastructure projects and real estate. Total investment logged in the first quarter was 465 trillion rupiah, which marks a 15.9% increase from the first quarter of last year. That figure amounts to 24.4% of this year's investment target of 1.9 quadrillion rupiah, which Rosan said last week was on track with the target laid down by the National Development Planning Agency. The largest chunk of the investment went to the metals sector, followed by transportation, mining, other services and housing, in that order. With US$4.6bil coming in from Singapore in the first quarter, the city state was once again the main source of FDI, which Rosan attributed to its status as a financial hub, meaning the funds could have originated from any country but was routed through Singapore. China followed with US$4bil, then Malaysia with US$1bil and Japan with roughly the same amount. Malaysia has only recently become a top-ranking investor to Indonesia. This was owed largely to the establishment of joint ventures, Rosan explained, without elaborating. The minister also addressed South Korean LG Energy Solution's recent announcement on withdrawing from a major battery project in Indonesia but noted that the company remained invested in the archipelago through other projects. He explained that the company had backed down from three investment commitments but had realised a US$1.1bil investment plan in another battery-industry project and was looking to expand that business by pouring in an extra US$1.7bil. China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt is slated to replace LG Energy Solution as the lead investor in Project Titan, a proposed end-to-end production chain from nickel processing to battery-cell manufacturing meant to become the backbone of the country's battery ecosystem. Rosan said he had met and talked with Huayou and would hold follow-up meetings in May. The minister expressed confidence that Huayou's investment plan would be realised 'very swiftly', before explaining that the original goal remained the same but that the Chinese company might bring in more advanced technology. He also revealed that Apple had started land clearing to begin its investment in Batam, Riau Islands, and said the US-tech company might bring more foreign capital to Indonesian soil than planned. Rosan said he had talked with three Apple vendors, one of whom happened to be Huayou. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
BBC News
28-04-2025
- BBC News
More than 100 arrested in York county lines crackdown
Police in York have arrested more than 100 people as part of a crackdown on county lines drug Yorkshire Police launched Project Titan in January to "address the growing concern of an influx in county line dealers in the city".The term county lines is used to describe networks of gangs and organised crime groups from larger cities who use children, young people and vulnerable adults to carry out illegal activity on their behalf in other smaller cities and Ch Insp Shaun Page, from North Yorkshire Police, said county lines drug dealing was currently "one of the biggest threats" facing York. The detective said the majority of the drugs coming into the city were being supplied from West added: "In September last year we really noticed a spike in violence in the city which can be attributed to county lines and the fall-out of that. "It was almost a necessity that we put Project Titan together."North Yorkshire Police said the operation had seen officers make 113 arrests, with 29 people charged - nine of whom had been remanded in have also identified several children and young people who have travelled into the city via public transport and taxis to deal drugs, a spokesperson added."York is no longer a soft place to deal and bring drugs into the city," added Det Ch Insp Page. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
