Research and analysis

Drug Dealing Telecommunications Restriction Orders 2017: post implementation review

A review of how these regulations have been implemented since they came into force.

Documents

Drug Dealing Telecommunications Restriction Orders 2017: post implementation review

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Details

The Drug Dealing Telecommunications Restriction Orders Regulations 2017 (DDTRO) were introduced on 6 December 2017 to support the disruption of county lines drug dealing.

A DDTRO is an order which can be made by a court to require a mobile network operator to close down particular phone lines (or whatever action the order specifies) to prevent or restrict the use of communication devices in connection with drug dealing offences.

These regulations require the publication of this review and its findings within five years of the regulations coming into force.

This review was conducted to evaluate to what extent the legislation’s objectives were met, the actual costs and benefits of DDTROs, the legislation’s appropriateness, and whether it should be retained.

The review was informed by court data alongside evidence from consultations with police forces, mobile network operators, courts and other stakeholders.

The review concluded that these regulations should be retained and made several recommendations.

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Published 2 December 2022