Pioneering moves are being made to tackle drug dealers who use children as mules under modern slavery legislation as more than 700 'county line' operations have been identified across the country.

Norfolk Police have been leading the way in their approach to limiting the spread of the, often violent, drug networks for the past year through Operation Gravity.

Since December 2016, more than 300 people have been arrested in the county, many under the age of 18.

County line bosses will often use vulnerable children as drug runners as they will face less punitive penalties if caught.

And according to a Times investigation, police in other force areas are taking a new approach by attempting to prosecute dealers under human trafficking legislation, as the Modern Slavery Act 2015 can carry a life sentence in prison.

Two forthcoming trials nationally have seen charges under the new legislation, as the National Crime Agency prepares to release a report this week identifying more than 700 county lines across the country.

In last year's county lines report, Tony Saggers, the NCA's Head of Drugs Threat and Intelligence, and co-author of the report, said: 'Given the levels of exploitation of young and vulnerable people that are taking place we think there could be real value in finding ways to use the Modern Slavery Act in tackling county lines.

'Whilst a drugs conviction is often seen as a badge of honour within these criminal gangs, anecdotal evidence tells us that they attach stigma to a modern slavery conviction.

'We need to make that work for us.'

Det Sgt Craig Bidwell, intelligence co-ordinator for Operation Gravity, has said it is not only children from the capital being exploited and sent to Norfolk. Local youngsters are also being drawn in to the trade.

'We have a cohort of local kids we are picking up involved in supplying crack and heroin in the urban areas of the county that are almost working as a network themselves, but believed to be connected back to the London supply chain,' he said. 'Ultimately they are still exploited children.

'It is essentially modern slavery being committed by these people.

'The biggest risk factor with the children that are wrapped up in this is they do not realise they are at risk or vulnerable.'

Det Sgt Bidwell added: 'To date, nobody has been charged with offences under the Modern Slavery Act in relation to Operation Gravity. However, we have dealt with and identified potential victims of these offences since the start of Operation Gravity and some of those investigations are ongoing.'