12 people have been arrested, as part of a major national operation to crackdown on County Lines offenders.
Cash, weapons and mobile phones have been seized and suspected Class A and Class B drugs have been recovered from across the South division.
South division, which covers the areas of Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire took part in a range of targeted and preventative activity for County Lines Intensification Week, starting from Monday 6 March.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We visited and safeguarded 43 vulnerable people, provided educational visits to schools and visited bus stations, train stations and taxi ranks to raise awareness around county lines, delivering messages and leaflets.”
Read more: Booths caught up in case of potential food fraud
County Lines is the transportation of illegal drugs from one area to another, usually by children or vulnerable adults who are coerced into it by criminal gangs.
The following was carried out across the week in South division:
Read more: Recycling Lives fire in Longridge Road sees fire crews remain through Monday
Some of the activity included:
Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo, said: “Last week’s activity is just a snapshot of the work carried out every day to disrupt those involved in organised crime and tackle County Lines.
“Along with our partners in Health, Education and Children’s Social Services, we will continue this work so that those who are vulnerable to exploitation can be safeguarded appropriately.
“We will relentlessly pursue offenders and put them before the courts to make our streets safer.”
Read more: Snow and ice warning for Preston
Another spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “During school visits, our Neighbourhood officers have provided education on how gangs will criminally exploit children and adults and have given advice on signs to look for if somebody is being exploited.
“Some of these signs include children frequently going missing and then returning home, having more clothes, mobile phones, or cash than usual, receiving excessive text messages or phone calls and disengagement from school.”
For more information and how to spot the signs of exploitation, visit the Eyes Open website.
If you believe that someone may be involved in County Lines or other drugs activity, you can report it to the police by calling 101.
Alternatively, you can report it via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report your concerns anonymously online on the Crimestoppers website. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines