LEADERS of a seaside drug gang that recruited children to help them peddle heroin and cocaine in their neighbourhood have been jailed.

The "P-line" gang used mass advertising techniques, sending out text messages from mobile phones to get drug addicts to buy from them, York Crown Court heard.

They operated in Scarborough, particularly in the Barrowcliff estate, throughout 2020.

Today, three leading members of the gang, Bradley Mark Taylor, 21, Alfie Damien Bailey, 20, and Ben Freer, 25 are behind bars serving more than 11 years.

Investigation officer, Detective Constable Darrell Temple, of Scarborough CID, said: “They were found to be exploiting young, impressionable males from the local area to conduct tasks such as topping up deal phones and acting as street runners.

“Taylor, Freer and Bailey were shown to be acting in a lead role in orchestrating the operation with Kyle Blades-Wilkinson in a role below them taking direction on the ground. Scott Simpson allowed his flat to be used by the group as a base for their drug dealing operation.

“The investigation shows that it is not only gangs from outside of Scarborough that prey on the weak and vulnerable by using their addiction to make money for themselves, but also those local to Scarborough.

“We’ll continue to disrupt the supply of drugs in the town and bring individuals to justice who bring misery to the people of Scarborough.​

“Information from members of the public is vital and we urge anyone with information about drug dealing, or if you suspect someone is being exploited, to contact the police or Crimestoppers if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Taylor, of no fixed address but previously of Prospect Crescent, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. He was jailed for four and a half years.

Bailey, of Maple Drive, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine, MDMA and cannabis. He was jailed for 42 months.

Freer, of Seamer Road, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and was jailed for 43 months.

Blades-Wilkinson, 20, of Colescliffe Road, Scarborough pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and received a 15-month sentence, suspended for two years.

Simpson, 31, of Long Westgate, Scarborough, allowed the group to use his flat to deal the drugs. He pleaded guilty to permitting premises to be used for supply of class A drugs. He received a two-year community order.

The phone deal advertising line, known as the “P” line, was operating in Scarborough using a series of numbers throughout 2020.

The line was operated primarily by Taylor, although in August and September the line was manned by Blades-Wilkinson, and in October and November by Bailey.

Drugs including heroin and crack cocaine were regularly advertised for sale in Scarborough through mass text messaging.

Signs that drug dealing may be going on include

Increased callers at a property,

Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time

Different accents at a property

Increased antisocial behaviour at a property

Not seeing the resident for long periods of time

Unfamiliar vehicles at the property

Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods

Communal doors propped open

Signs that a young people may be being exploited by drug dealers include

Persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area;

Unexplained money, clothes, or mobile phones

Excessive receipt of texts / phone calls

Relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups

Leaving home / care without explanation

Suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries

Carrying weapons

Significant decline in school results / performance

Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks

Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being

If you believe drug dealing is going on in your neighbourhood or a young person is being exploited, call North Yorkshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you or another person is in immediate danger, always call 999.