More than 2,600 young people in Skegness, Grantham and Lincoln have now seen a theatre production built to show how teenagers get pulled into county lines drug dealing, knife crime and criminal exploitation. It was staged in October by Justice in Motion, and it will be independently evaluated by the University of Lincoln.

Skegness is the East Lindsey stop, so this is local news for anyone with children, grandchildren or pupils in the district. Louth was not one of the places named, but the problem it tackles does not stop at a town boundary.

What CODE Is

CODE is a show, not a lecture. Justice in Motion, an Oxford company, tells the story through physical theatre, parkour, trials bike stunts and live rap, set in an urban playground. A buzzing phone carries coded messages about times, deals and warnings, and the audience watches how a young person can be drawn in and why it becomes hard to get out. The same production has been taken to schools and venues in other parts of England, and the company says it was developed with people working on the front line of county lines.

In Lincolnshire, pupils from Year 6 upwards took part in workshops and presentations first, then watched the performance. Two free public shows on 8th and 10th October in City Square, Lincoln, drew almost 1,000 people.

Why Schools Are Being Asked to Do This

County lines is the name for drug gangs that move supplies from cities into smaller towns and rural areas, often using children to carry or sell them. Home Office figures show about 15,500 children were identified as at risk of, or involved in, child criminal exploitation in the year to March 2025, and the Government itself says the true number is likely to be much higher. Rural counties are not safe from it, and the children involved often do not see themselves as victims.

Those leading the project say the aim is to help young people spot the warning signs early and know where to turn. Lincolnshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Marc Jones, said children need to understand how criminal networks work and where to get help, and that the show opens up conversations in schools and communities.

Who Paid for It

The programme cost around £100,000 across several public bodies. The Police and Crime Commissioner put in £30,000 from proceeds of crime funding. A further £40,000 of Home Office serious violence funding went through the South East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and Lincolnshire Police, and Lincolnshire County Council Public Health added £30,000. City of Lincoln Council provided the venue for the Lincoln shows. East Lindsey District Council is not named among the funders, but its community safety portfolio holder, Councillor Graham Marsh, welcomed Skegness being a host location.

What Happens Next

The University of Lincoln will now assess the work. It is expected to look beyond how many people turned up and ask what difference the show and workshops actually made, and what can be learned from using creative approaches with young people. No date for the findings has been given, and we have not seen any announcement of further Lincolnshire performances.

Signs to Look Out For

Councils and children's charities list similar warning signs. They include a child with unexplained money, new clothes or jewellery, more than one phone, staying up late and being very protective of their phone, or going missing for long periods. None of these proves anything on its own, and the advice is to talk calmly and openly with the young person rather than accuse them.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. To pass on a concern, call Lincolnshire Police on 101. To report something anonymously, Crimestoppers takes calls free on 0800 555 111, and its Fearless service is for young people. Children can talk to Childline free on 0800 1111, and adults who are worried about a child can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000. Our Support and Wellbeing section has more local help, including what to do if you need help now.

Where to Read More

The project was reported by LincolnshireWorld. The Home Office figures are on the government's County Lines Programme data page, and the company's own details are on the Justice in Motion website.

Questions About County Lines

What is the CODE county lines production?
CODE is a physical theatre show by Justice in Motion that explains county lines and knife crime to young people. It mixes parkour, bike stunts and live rap with a story about a young person being drawn into criminal exploitation. In Lincolnshire it was paired with workshops in schools.

Did the county lines show visit Louth?
No, the Lincolnshire performances were in Skegness, Grantham and Lincoln. Skegness is the East Lindsey host location. Louth was not named among the places that took part.

What is county lines?
County lines is a type of drug dealing where gangs move drugs from cities into smaller towns and rural areas, often using children to carry or sell them. It is a form of child criminal exploitation and is linked to knife crime and violence. Children caught up in it often do not realise they are being exploited.

What are the warning signs of child criminal exploitation?
Common signs include unexplained money, new clothes or jewellery, more than one phone, being very protective of a phone, staying up late and going missing for long periods. None of them proves exploitation on its own. Talking calmly and openly with the young person is the recommended first step.

Who can I tell if I am worried about a child in Lincolnshire?
Call 999 if a child is in immediate danger, or Lincolnshire Police on 101 to report a concern. Crimestoppers takes anonymous reports free on 0800 555 111, and young people can speak to Childline free on 0800 1111. Adults can also call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.