In the UK, Children as young as six are being groomed and exploited into criminal networks where they’re being forced to engage in drug dealing and other criminal activity.
These types of criminal networks are established in major cities and are mainly used in the supply and sale of drugs to users. Typically, these gangs lure young people into these networks to carry, store and sell drugs. Children are often targeted for this kind of business because they’re less likely to be suspected of having involvement in illicit and criminal activity. Kids also tend to be more vulnerable, and therefore easier to exploit and manipulate.
The punishment for a county lines charge can be extensive and can fall under a wide range of potential penalties. From November 2019 to September 2022, the Met closed 1,260 lines and authorised 3,833 charges.
Below, we’re going to explore in more detail how gangs and criminal networks exploit and utilise children for their business…
County Lines and Child Exploitation
46,000 children in England are thought to be involved in gangs however there are likely to be many more.
Criminal exploitation often occurs without a child being immediately aware of the situation. Exploiters tend to manipulate the child into thinking they’re powerful and in control of their own fate when they’re in fact being groomed. Often kids are targeted due to their emotional vulnerability and their poor socioeconomic status. Coercion, humiliation, intimidation and violence, are all things that an exploiter will use to groom a child.
How do Gangs Exploit Children?
There are four notable recruitment stages when somebody is trying to groom and exploit a young person. Below are some of the signs to look out for.
1. Targeting stage
The targeting stage is where an exploiter selects a young person who is typically vulnerable and therefore reduces the gang’s chance of getting caught. An exploiter tends to pick their target based on different variables such as a person’s socioeconomic status, age and strength. Through observing the young person, an exploiter will find out the child’s weaknesses, needs and desires. This information can be used at a later date to ‘control’ the child. The exploiter will then seek to develop a relationship with the young person and gain their trust.
2. Experience stage
The second stage of recruiting and exploiting a child is making him or her ‘feel wanted’. As previously mentioned, gangs tend to pick on vulnerable people as they can provide validation and a false sense of security and purpose. The exploiter can do this by giving them gifts and rewards, offering them protection, and praising the person.
3. Hooked stage
The hooked stage is where the child is made to feel like they’re ‘a part of the gang’ – even though they’re just being exploited. Signs that a young person is the hooked stage include:
- Feeling they have an ‘identity’ in the group
- Exhibiting more thrill-seeking behaviour
- Partaking in illegal activities such as having sex and consuming drugs and alcohol
- Feeling as if they have made progress and are more powerful – Even if this is not a true reflection
- Being asked for favours such as recruitment
- Being involved in trap houses
- Having a dependency created by the exploiter
4. Trapped stage
Now that the young person has developed a dependency on the gang, their relationship with the exploiter may start to become troublesome. This is where the gang’s true objectives and aims become clear. In the trapped stage, the child may experience the following:
- Physical and sexual violence – this can include assault, strip searches and plugging
- Intimidation and humiliation
- Being isolated from friends and family
- Feeling ‘trapped’
- Involvement in cooking and running Class As
- Running a trap house
- Drug addiction
- Being forced to assault others
What is Being Done?
Under the 10-year Drugs Strategy, the government is intending to strengthen and build on the Home Office’s current County Lines programme. The Home office is also helping raise awareness of county lines among frontline staff. This aims to make teachers and healthcare workers more familiar with warning signs of child exploitation.
The Children’s Society is a national charity fighting for the hope and happiness of young people who have experienced abuse, neglect and exploitation. Under their Disrupting Exploitation Programme, the charity aims to make children safer by educating them on exploitation and improving their relationships with friends and family.
Child Exploitation
Every year, thousands of children in the UK are being exploited. Some are being groomed into county lines drug trafficking and money laundering, while others face being sexually exploited. Child abuse can cause significant lifelong trauma for victims therefore it is important that combatting this crime is considered a high priority. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with warning signs of child exploitation and grooming.
If you think someone is abusing a child, you should report it straight away, you can do this by dialling 999. There are also a number of charities, such as the NSPCC and the Children’s Society, that have a wealth of resources on child exploitation and neglect.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on the law. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
