KIDS are being recruited into “county lines” gangs via Fornite and Houseparty – a campaign group has warned.
They say criminals use apps and video games, popular with millions of teens, to snare children in their own homes.
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The warning comes amid growing concerns that youngsters are being increasingly used to courier drugs during the pandemic.
Older dealers pay them to ferry cannabis, cocaine and other Class-A’s, because they are less likely to be stopped by cops.
Reformed gang-member Matthew Norford, who runs community group 1 Message in Manchester, says dealers’ tactics have developed so they don’t even have to leave the house.
He said: “Gangsters and drug dealers won’t stay in just because there’s a lockdown. Dealers are still speaking to kids, new clients and parents.
“You’ve got dealers telling kids to go on Houseparty and Fortnite and ask others if they want to make some money.
“They’re getting youngsters to recruit their friends. Proper drug dealers can’t be bothered to make a fake online profile – they get the workers to do it for them.
“These kids are already on Instagram and Snapchat and then they just pick someone. County lines is a pandemic in itself.”
He said kids are also posing as take-away food riders to deliver drugs for county lines gangs during lockdown.
He added: “They are hidden in takeaway boxes and plastic bags in a bid to try and avoid detection by cops.
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“Many of those delivering the drugs are even using branded takeaway carriers and clothing to try and stay one step ahead of police.”
The National Crime Agency confirmed they were aware of the trend – which has been dubbed “Deliveroo For Drugs”.
A spokesman said: “Criminals will sometimes pose as key workers in case they are stopped and questioned by police.”
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