This summer Dorset Police launched a campaign to raise awareness of county lines.

But Superintendent Caroline Naughton, who is leading the battle against drug networks, said the idea was not to 'shock' the public but to 'get them to understand.'

"Most people will never come across people involved in county lines. Unless you scratch the surface - They remain hidden. If police forces don't look hard enough they won't find them.

"The last thing I want is for people to think 'I'm elderly or I'm vulnerable I must be at risk'. Dealers only focus on the most vulnerable people in society - people on extremely low incomes with drug addictions. You are not going to be susceptible - but you do need to be aware."

Dorset Police have adopted a multi-agency approach to tackling county lines working with social services, housing agencies, landlords and local residents.

"The intelligence flow that we have is really good," Miss Naughton said. "Every piece of information gives us another potential lead. You can't just 'police' your way out of it."

Housing associations are encouraged to implement security measures, even security cameras, to protect vulnerable people and landlords are urged to evict anyone found to be involved.

Miss Naughton added there was a "whole machine operating behind county lines" from boots on the ground officers, carrying out safeguarding visits right up to working with the National Crime Agency.

"Weymouth has a really proactive policing team who really understand what's going on - that's why we perhaps see more activity around county lines here, because we are really on the ball - but there is more intelligence that we need," she said.

If you see suspicious activity at a property of believe someone to be vulnerable call Dorset Police on 101.