AN increase in cross-border crime was partly to blame for the rise in crack cocaine use, the report said.

Dealers from organised crime groups based in cities such as London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham had displaced local dealers in recent years, the report said, and heard from treatment workers and service users who said “there were generally fewer police on the streets, and there appeared to be less capacity to target drug dealers or people carrying small amounts of drugs”.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Hodgeon, of North Yorkshire Police, said the force was tackling county lines criminals, and educating the public and businesses about the dangers.

He said: “We also make use of orders such as Cease and Desist notices – which is a warning to stop activity connected with drug dealing - with around 37 issued to households across the county in the past year, and Drug Dealing Telecommunications Restriction Orders – being the first force in the region to secure this type of relatively new order.

“We also work with the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit and other forces such as Greater Manchester Police, to share information, disrupt dealers and safeguard vulnerable children who have travelled to North Yorkshire to sell drugs.”

Det Chief Insp Hodgeon said it was “not just so-called county lines operators that pedal cocaine”, and an 11-strong York-based gang recently received a combined sentence of more than 100 years.

And he urged the public to report any information which they feel could be of use to police.

He said: “There is no doubt that information from members of the public helps us piece together the bigger picture of what is happening in communities which then shapes our operational response so we urge anyone who suspects something is going on in their neighbourhood, to let us know. Not only could the information lead us to criminals, you could also help us protect a vulnerable person or make your community safer for everyone.”