Fears have been raised about youngsters being coerced into the world of organised crime – as it emerged a child as young as 13 had been arrested for alleged drug trafficking in Cumbria.

Figures obtained by the News & Star show that this suspect was just one of 45 teenagers under 16 who have been arrested in the county for suspected drugs offences over the past three years.

One of the county’s top detectives has issued a warning to young people not to get involved with drugs.

Worryingly, Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery said some youngsters are being dragged into the criminal underworld through a fear of violence from drugs suppliers.

In total 13 youngsters – including two aged 14 and 10 aged 15 – have been arrested for alleged drug trafficking during the same time period.

The most common offence overall in the 45 arrests was possession of cannabis ,which accounted for more than half, with the alleged handling of other drugs providing nine arrests.

Mr Slattery, who is responsible for drug enforcement across the county, said arresting a youngster is not officers’ first option.

Instead police are focused on stopping the supply of drugs into Cumbria.

“Cumbria Constabulary doesn’t seek to criminalise young people, that’s not our aim.

“Our aim is to reduce the harm caused by drugs, to educate people and persuade people not to use drugs,” he said.

“A lot of our focus in terms of enforcement is about supply because they are the criminals.

“We need to remind people, however, that the use of drugs is illegal and people are leaving themselves open to prosecution. But we take a sensible approach to this.

“If people are found to be using drugs they may be arrested, they may be charged or they might be given a youth or adult caution.”

He added that children being used as “mules” or having other roles in the drugs supply chain is “something we are particularly concerned about”.

“Suppliers can coerce young people, for example by telling them they can’t get charged.

“But this can also generally be through threats of violence or sexual exploitation,” he continued.

This can then end up with people owing drug dealers money, which then prompts further threats of violence.

He said: “Once they are in that position, people find it very difficult to get out.

“Whenever someone is interacting with drugs suppliers they are leaving themselves vulnerable.”

There was also a warning to people – especially youngsters – that buying drugs and giving them to friends or other people is a serious matter and is classed as supplying.

The figures were revealed following a Freedom of Information request by the News & Star’s sister paper, The Cumberland News.

Matt Williams, a senior team leader with Carlisle Youth Zone, said the figures were worrying but admitted it is a subject that does crop up in conversations with youngsters.

“It’s been a massive focus of our work over the last six months or so. We are in a unique position to do educative work with them in an informal setting,” he said .

“Drugs can open up a whole new gateway for other crimes.

“If they are rebelling against the law at that age then it’s worrying. To some youngsters it’s quite cool.”

He believes that peer pressure is a big factor when talking about drugs.

Mr Williams said there was also the worry that more young people with mental health problems could be turning to illegal drugs.