Gangs and child exploitation
Criminal exploitation is when someone forces or tricks you into doing criminal things for them or someone else. It can involve moving drugs, carrying weapons, stealing and travelling out of your local area to move drugs. You may have heard this referred to as County Lines.
What is Exploitation?
Exploitation is when someone builds a relationship with you to manipulate and control you. At first they may act like your friend, either online or in person, but their goal is to use you. This process is called grooming. There are different types of exploitation which includes:
- Criminal exploitation: being forced into committing crimes for some else.
- Financial exploitation: being coerced into handing over money and/or valuable assets.
- Sexual exploitation: when someone pressures or manipulates you into doing sexual activities for their gain.
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Gangs and child exploitation
Criminal exploitation is when someone forces or tricks you into doing criminal things for them or someone else. It can involve moving drugs, carrying weapons, stealing and travelling out of your local area to move drugs. You may have heard this referred to as County Lines.
What is Exploitation?
Exploitation is when someone builds a relationship with you to manipulate and control you. At first they may act like your friend, either online or in person, but their goal is to use you. This process is called grooming. There are different types of exploitation which includes:
- Criminal exploitation: being forced into committing crimes for some else.
- Financial exploitation: being coerced into handing over money and/or valuable assets.
- Sexual exploitation: when someone pressures or manipulates you into doing sexual activities for their gain.
County lines
County lines is when gangs exploit children to transport and sell drugs, typically between cities to smaller towns. Those involved have dedicated phone lines for taking orders, they use children who are less likely to be stopped by police. This activity is criminal exploitation and allows adult dealers to avoid the risk of arrest.
Taking advantage of a young person, to then persuade them into carrying out criminal acts is exploitation.
Young people may be recruited through grooming, this can happen in four stages.
Stages of grooming
- Targeting: they will befriend you through social media or through a mutual friend. They could also approach you in public spaces such as bus stations, train stations, parks, or shopping centres.
- Favours: as you start to trust them and receive gifts they will ask for favours in return. It could start out small and then become bigger pressuring you into doing things you would not normally.
- Hooked: you become involved in criminal activities taking on increasing responsibility within the group. You may initially feel as if it’s a choice.
At first you may feel part of a group, or even a family. Over time you will be told there is no other option, you will owe someone something or be expected to do things out of loyalty. They are exploiting you, and you are a victim.
If you are worried about yours or a friend’s involvement in county lines, you can speak to a trusted adult to share your concerns. If you do not want to speak to someone you know you can call Childline on 0800 1111.
Support Services
If you want help and support please, use any of our suggested resources. These provide a variety of support services.
Resources
Missing People: provide SafeCall a free, confidential and anonymous helpline and support service for young people and family members that are affected by missing, county lines and criminal exploitation.
- Call or text: 116000
- Email: 116000@missingpeople.org.uk
The Mix: is a support service for young people offering advice on a variety of topics from break-ups, county lines to mental health.
- Offer free online counselling for 11-24 year olds
- You can contact their crisis messenger 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by texting THEMIX to 85258
Service Six: offer mental health and wellbeing support for young people and their families. This includes therapy, family sessions and group support. To get help, fill out the self-referral form on their website.
The Children’s Society : give information and advice about county lines and criminal exploitation. They share advice for young people and can direct you to support services.
Guiding Young Minds: provide specialist support for young people, helping them to overcome challenges in their lives. They also offer guidance for parents to help them better support their children.