CONCERNED residents are being urged to attend a meeting about the dangers of ‘county lines’ drug gangs.

Former police officer and newly-elected town councillor Pete Caulfield has organised a drugs awareness talk at Queen’s Hall in Halstead tomorrow.

The event will help parents recognise the signs of county lines gangs, how to protect their families against them and how to reduce drugs harm in Halstead and the surrounding areas.

Mr Caulfield said: “County lines gangs reach out from the cities to rural towns and villages where they befriend and groom youngsters from across the social spectrum – it is not just children at risk of social exclusion or those from deprived backgrounds who are at risk.

“Parents who believe it could not happen to their families are sadly unaware of the reach, tactics and convincing methods these gangs use to recruit young people and it is already happening locally.”

Chief Inspector Janette Rawlingson, district commander for Braintree and Uttlesford, said: "Officers have been proactively dealing with issues that mean a lot to the community, such as drugs offences and anti-social behaviour.

"The fact there are no county lines operating in Halstead is testament to the hard work of officers.

"Halstead is a safe place to live, work and socialise."

The event will be opened by deputy police commissioner Jane Gardner.

The main speaker is Shelly Steele, who helps parents whose children have been groomed by gangs.

The talk is at 7.30pm.