A boyof 12 was arrested on suspicion of heroin dealing amid fears gangs lure kids by using methods like those of online sexual predators.
The lad was one of nearly 2,000 under-16s picked up by cops for alleged drug pushing last year.
Older members of county lines gangs expand their trade by sending drugs from cities to suburbs with kids – who look less suspicious and get lighter penalties if caught.
Britain’s top county lines drug cop Tim Champion said: “The grooming techniques now being used by county lines gangs are similar to what we see in online sexual exploitation of children.
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“Often young people don’t see themselves as victims and are manipulated into feeling part of a group.
"Through receiving gifts, they are less likely to speak to police.”
Curtis Liburd, who started dealing drugs in Nottingham at 14 and now works with at-risk kids, said: “If you’re too young to work, and there’s older gang members out there, they will pull you in and show you the money.”
Iryna Pona, of the Children’s Society charity, said too often these kids are criminalised when they need support and when they are arrested there is a chance to identify exploitation.
Dr Javed Khan, boss of kids’ charity Barnardo’s, said Covid and lockdowns had put kids at greater risk.
“Our frontline services see the devastating impact of child criminal exploitation.”
Using freedom of information rules, the Sunday People found 1,981 under-16s were arrested in England and Wales last year on suspicion of drug dealing.
The true number is about 2,290 as only 38 out of 44 police forces responded.
Many had class A drugs like crack and ecstasy (MDMA).
In London, 472 kids, including the boy of 12, were held.
In Cumbria two 13-year-olds were held for alleged ecstasy dealing.
In the West Midlands a boy of 13 was detained for possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
Merseyside police arrested kids suspected of dealing amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, crack, heroin, ecstasy and psychoactive substances.
