Shocking figures have revealed how county line gangs - which operate in Kent - are inflicting violence across the country.

Criminals linked to the drugs distribution model have been charged with offences including more than 20 murders, hundreds of robberies, and possession of firearms.

County lines sees London gangs run Class As - usually heroin and crack cocaine - in to commuter towns to find new markets.

Met Police officers reviewed data showing those involved in county lines criminality collected by the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC).

This data was analysed against crime records.

It revealed more than 1,300 people linked to county lines have criminal records.

At the end of 2019 the Met received funding from the Home Office to tackle drugs gangs and launched a dedicated operation named Orochi.

But the force found many of its county lines arrests across London were of those running the drugs - often the most exploited and vulnerable.

So the Met has since focused on targeting lineholders who exploit others to run drugs across the UK, including Kent.

The operation saw 87 county lines closed and 183 charges for drug trafficking.

Of the 18 cases which have gone to court so far, all defendants have pleaded guilty and received a total of more than 50 years imprisonment.

Between March 16 and May 20 drug trafficking arrests are up 55% and charges are up 143%.

Commissioner Cressida Dick admitted there there is still more work to be done to tackle county lines.

“I do want to make clear that while we have made significant progress in identifying and arresting those running county lines, this is not an issue we can solve alone," she said.

"We need a whole host of partners in society to contribute.

"We need to reduce the demand for drugs and support those addicted to these lethal substances.

"Local agencies, charities, partners, schools, parents all need to help us protect the most vulnerable in our communities from being exploited by gangs into running drugs across the UK."

She continued: “Lastly, we need to design out the ability to run these lines.

"Over the last year we have developed a significant evidence base which shows how criminals use telecommunications to run their operations.

"We will work with whoever necessary to restrict the ability of these individuals to carry out this activity and destroy the business model of county lines entirely.”

A cartoon character was deployed in the fight to stop primary school children falling into the clutches of county lines drugs gangs this year.

Dot Com and an array of other characters helps children spot dangerous situations, talk to their teachers about their worries and feel safe on the internet.

An ex-offender turned charity worker warned last month the lockdown provides an opportunity for teenagers to escape a life of crime, but a fast response is needed as gangs alter their tactics.

Former gang member Lennox Rodgers now runs Dartford based crime prevention charity Refocus and has been offering advice and guidance to youngsters involved in drug misuse.

Guns, £50,000 and three kilos of heroin were seized in March - after Kent Police declared "war" on county lines drugs gangs.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent