TrappedInCountyLines

If you would like to learn more about @ChristiGabbitas story, here’s a link to the story and animation. #BookOfTheWeek @NSPCC @NSPCCLearning #countylines #cce #debtbondage #cuckooing #modernslavery

The sessions are already having a lasting impact. Here’s an entry i received this afternoon. I’m back in the school tomorrow with Y9 & 10. The sessions I conduct on county lines, related crime, and knife crime are not just a fleeting experience. They offer valuable insights and awareness through the art of storytelling.

More sessions at Clifton Community School, Rotherham. Thanks to students and teachers for the warm welcome. During the sessions, I shared insights from research on the narratives I create to raise awareness about county lines exploitation and related criminal activities. I also highlighted the national initiative that has given young people an opportunity to express themselves through poetry and lyrics, and recited some poems. The students were invited to submit work. A special thank you to the South Yorkshire Police Child Exploitation Teams for commissioning my work and acknowledging its effectiveness. @SY_VRU @YHROCU

I missed posting for #WorldPoetryDay yesterday. Here’s details of our initiative that’s open to young people across the UK. Prizes (1st,2nd, 3rd) of £500, £250, & £150, with an opportunity to be published in the second Listen Up! book. More details here: missingstory.co.uk/competition/

Here’s what pupils from St John Fisher Catholic Academy, Harrogate, had to say about my session and story Missing. Here’s a link to the animation: youtu.be/qb6I2cshpzM?si… Printed version: christinagabbitas.com/missing/ #countylines #knifecrime

Here’s what a student from Oasis Don Valley Academy, Sheffield, had to say about my session and story Trapped in County Lines. Supported by South Yorkshire Police #countylines #knifecrime @SY_VRU

Here’s what a student at Oasis Don Valley Academy, #Sheffield, had to say about my session. I talked about my work as a writer and extensive research that i’ve been undertaking on the issues of county lines exploitation and associated crime since 2019. The session was funded and attended by South Yorkshire Police Child Criminal Exploitation Team. #countylines

Huge thanks to teachers and students at St John Fisher Catholic Academy #Harrogate for making me welcome yesterday. I presented a session focused on the issue of county lines exploitation and the related criminal activities. During my session, I shared insights into the narratives of my stories, informing students about the extensive research into my writing, and highlighted the collaboration I've had with North Yorkshire Police, and other forces. Special thanks to the students who agreed to be interviewed.

'Children are going missing everyday' - message at North Yorkshire schools ift.tt/sw67xlk

Meet Imogen from Rossett High in #Harrogate. Imogen inspired me to create a national initiative aimed at giving children and young people a platform to express themselves through poetry and lyrics. As a result, I received submissions from all over the UK, addressing county lines exploitation, knife crime, and related issues. We selected the top 40 poems and lyrics to be featured in an anthology called Listen Up, which has been recognised by the People’s Book Prize. You can find it here: peoplesbookprize.com/2025-books/lis… Thanks to the fantastic engagement from young people, I’m excited to announce a second initiative that will be open until May 30th. For more details, click here: missingstory.co.uk/competition/ All proceeds from sales will support the @NSPCC Childline service, which is celebrating its 40th birthday. Here’s the link to join my running team , or make a donation: justgiving.com/team/listenupa…

Great engagement with year groups in @Rossett today with my Missing story The #Missing story is the third installment in a series that tackles issues surrounding #countylines exploitation, knife crime, and related topics. A big thank you to the students who participated in the interviews about the story, and to all students and teachers for their warm hospitality. Fantastic to meet Imogen Johnston (y11) who had her poem published in our ‘Listen Up!’ #poetry and lyric book. Here’s a link to the 2026 initiative: missingstory.co.uk/competition/

Great engagement in Oasis Park Academy #Sheffield with my stories that educate young people about #countylines exploitation and associated crime. Huge thanks to the team @syptweet for supporting.

Here i am at @oasisdonvalley #Sheffield Oasis_UK to engage and deliver sessions utilising my stories @TrappedCLines @No2CountyLines the #Missing story, and #VapingScars @Go_All_In_2026 @WorldBookDayUK Supported by @syptweet

I’m currently signing 1000 copies of my #Missing story, ready for school visits. Every day, countless children and young people are going missing as a result of #countylines exploitation. Storytelling is an effective method for raising awareness and creating a lasting impression.

'I hear far too many sad and horrific stories' - North Yorkshire campaigner ift.tt/26CSbxZ

@ChristiGabbitas @NWROCU I have a 13 year old grandson, and my nerves are gone that he’d get caught up innocently in stuff like this 🤯 The message needs to be out there x

@ChristiGabbitas @NWROCU I was at the conference in Liverpool today. It was brilliant. I’m going to share your details with my friend who works with young people in Speke, Liverpool. Thank you for today 🙏🏼

Thanks to National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) and @NWROCU for the opportunity to share my experiences regarding preventive interventions I've been implementing in primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges. Since 2019, I have focused on addressing the issues of county lines exploitation, knife crime, and related criminal activities in all these settings. Through my storytelling and animations, I've found that children and young people are able to grasp critical concepts such as grooming, exploitation, debt bondage, cuckooing, and the dangers associated with carrying knives and vaping illicit substances in a way that is both age-appropriate and impactful. Here are links to all the animations: No More Knives County Lines: lnkd.in/dhsqdkZ Trapped in County Lines: lnkd.in/eUXVxQZu MISSING: lnkd.in/eGrKz5bg Vaping Scars: lnkd.in/e4Jvqg7J I also took the opportunity to share the positive collaborative work surrounding my national initiative that gives children and young people a voice: Here's a link to the 2026 initiative to share: lnkd.in/evuzjTaC #countylines #exploitation #missing #substances #vaping #knifecrime #children #youngpeople #education #prevention

150 copies of my story No More Knives or County Lines have been dispatched to @DerbysPolice to help educate children about the consequences of carrying knives. #NationalYearOfReading Here’s the animation: youtu.be/wXNVQ4VcBts?si… @No2CountyLines #education

.@GMB Just watching your program. From my experiences visiting various schools, it’s unfortunate that not all schools have a dedicated safer schools officer. Whenever I’m asked to conduct a session at a school, I make it a point to reach out to the local policing team, as I understand the value of collaboration in education on the topic of carrying knives, and county lines exploitation from an early age. I recall a comment from a Sgt in one area who said, “Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury to provide a dedicated officer or a school liaison team, but we can definitely send some PCSO’s to support you, as we know how crucial this work is.” It’s very sad to see that there aren’t enough resources allocated to educate our children and young people. Proactive education is far more effective than dealing with the devastating consequences later on. Since 2019, I’ve been dedicated to my commissioned projects, and on a national level, I haven’t observed any significant changes. @ChildrensComm More needs to be done.

It was a pleasure to present at the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (@NE_ROCU) conference yesterday, alongside a brilliant mix of partners dedicated to safeguarding, protection, and the vital role of early intervention. I talked about my successful and impactful early intervention work in primary, secondary schools and colleges, focusing on the significance of education, giving children and young people a voice. A big thank you to Kirsten Dent, Kelly Gray, Ian Randell, and DCS Craig Metcalfe for valuing the work that I do, and for making me feel so welcome. I will be speaking at more NCLCC Conferences North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (@NWROCU) on 17th Feb, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (@SWROCU ) 25th March, and @YHROCU 31st March. #countylines #exploitation #children #youngpeople #education #earlierintervention #missingchildren