We can't just arrest our way out of drug dealing: Former 24 Hours police officer speaks out following county lines case

Tom Hamm was speaking at the conclusion of last night’s (Sunday) 24 Hours in Police Custody two-parter on Channel 4.

Called The Ambush, it featured a four-year fight for justice after a teenager was left for dead in Luton.

The case boiled down to a turf war beef over county lines drug dealing, resulting in just ONE CONVICTION even though an armed gang were involved in the attack.

But former DS Hamm vowed the 2022 case was very much still open and spoke of his frustration at why children get attracted to the drugs world in the first place.

He said: “Drug dealing and drug use affects all of us. It can’t all fall on the police to arrest our way out of it.

"We can’t just simply turn around and say, ‘well it’s down to the parents’. I’ve met the parents in this case, they are lovely people, they adore their children.”

He went on to say: “Kids today, they are drawn into the drugs world by what they see as the wealth of it. Having the latest, greatest smartphone, having the Gucci top.

“So we do need schools to play a part. It can’t just be a matter for the police because if it is, it is never going to be resolved – it takes a community to raise a child.”

The DS – who retired from the force after over 22 years service – said this particular case was still open.

He called it “hugely frustrating” that the gang who were responsible for the attack are still out there.

"This case will never be fully closed. I am hopeful that at some point we may be able to identify the four that got away,” he said.

Following six months in critical care, the victim was able to return home.

Bedfordshire Police told the 24 Hours team it estimates there are now 42 active drug lines with the county.