Child Criminal Exploitation
What is child criminal exploitation?
Child criminal exploitation (CCE) is when an adult(s) over the age of 18 manipulates, coerces, intimidates or threatens a person under the age of 18 into engaging in criminal activity.
Common forms of activity that children are coerced into include the storage and / or transportation of drugs (county lines) or weapons, securing the use of dwellings for criminal activities (commonly referred to as 'cuckooing'), and theft and robbery offences such as shoplifting, mugging and vehicle theft.
Children involved in CCE should be viewed as victims of exploitation rather than criminals, even if they have committed offenses. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 provides a statutory defence for victims of child exploitation accused of certain offences.
For more information, watch this educational video from the Thames Valley Violence Prevention Partnership funded by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber.
Signs that a young person may be experiencing criminal exploitation include;
- Regularly coming home late or going missing from home or school.
- Reduced attendance or attainment at school, college, training, or work.
- Significant changes in behaviour and emotional well-being. This could include low mood, sleeping during the day, erratic or volatile behaviours or expressions of despair like self-harm.
- Withdrawal from their usual friendship group.
- Retreating from hobbies or other interests.
- Receiving an excessive number of texts or phone calls.
- Having cash or new or expensive items they can’t account for. Items like mobile phones, other electronics like consoles, trainers or other items of clothing and jewellery.
- Being overly secretive or defensive about who they are talking to, where they have been and what they have been doing.
- Travelling alone during school hours or late at night.
- Frequent use of public transport.
- Discovering they have been going to new places they have no obvious connection to.
- New associations with older people or gangs.
- Sudden and overuse of street language and expressions around invincibility.
- Misuse of drugs or alcohol.
- Unexplained injuries or signs of physical assault.
- Coming to the attention of the police.
Any child from any background can potentially be at risk of criminal exploitation but there are factors that may increase a child’s vulnerability including;
- Additional needs, such as neurodiversity or disability
- A chaotic or insecure home environment
- Poverty
- Experience of neglect or abuse
- Homelessness or insecure accommodation status
- Experience of mental health problems
- Substance abuse
- Exclusion from mainstream education or being NEET (not in education, training or employment)
- Previous contact with the Criminal Justice System
Starting a conversation with your child about criminal exploitation can be difficult but if you’re worried your child is at risk of, or has fallen victim to, criminal exploitation then it’s really important that you talk to them.
- Start the conversation when you feel prepared and ready to. Do some research around child exploitation before initiating the conversation so you have an understanding of what your child may be experiencing.
- Create a safe space where your young person can open up.
- Emphasise that whatever they may be involved in is not their fault and that it is safe to tell you anything.
- Avoid judgement, blame or shame.
- Have the conversation in a low-pressure environment, without distraction. Non-face-to-face opportunities like walking the dog or driving can make it easier for a young person to open up.
- Ask directly about behaviours or changes you have noticed.
- Use simple language like “safety”, “tricked”, “forced”.
- Listen to their response. If you don’t understand something, ask them to explain in more detail if they can.
- If they don’t talk to you, that’s okay. Recognise that they may not feel safe in that moment. What is important is that they know you have noticed something is happening and are concerned.
- End the conversation with a care response – “I am worried about you” – or reassurance and let them know you are available to talk when they feel ready.
- Young people are often more comfortable talking about their friends than themselves. If your young person is reluctant to talk, ask about the behaviours of their friends or if there is anyone they are worried about.
- It may also be that your young person will find it easier to talk to someone that isn’t you. Ask them who they would prefer to talk to – it could be an older sibling, another relative or close family friend or a trusted teacher, youth worker or sports coach. If you can, have a conversation with that person first, to let them know what they need to talk to your child about, and why.
Sample conversation starters:
- “We can tell you’re having a hard time at the moment. Is there anything you would like to talk to us about?”
- “I’ve noticed you’re spending a lot of time with {name} recently. How did you meet? What do you guys usually do?”
- “Are you able to share with me what’s been happening?”
- “What can I do to help you feel safe?”
- “I know you might be feeling scared about how I might respond but I promise, we will work this out together.”
If your child tells you they have been, or are being, exploited, try and remain as calm as possible. Finding out this information will likely make you feel upset, angry, guilty, scared, helpless, or a combination of these but your young person is looking to you for support.
Tell them they have done the right thing by telling you and reassure them that it is not their fault.
Be clear that you will need to report the exploitation but that you will keep them informed of what you are doing, reminding them that their safety is your main priority.
If the child shares the identity of the person responsible, do not confront them – this could make the situation worse for the child.
If you believe, or your child has disclosed, that they are being exploited, contact the police via 101. If you wish to report anonymously, you can do so via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use their online form. You should also inform your local children’s social care team. Use the GOV.UK report child abuse tool to find the correct contact details.
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of a child, call 999.
The Thames Valley Violence Prevention Partnership has released a free educational resource on child exploitation funded by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber.
The bite-sized video covers the different types of child exploitation, potential warning signs and how to spot them, how to have positive conversations with your young people as well as sharing the story of Joanne, a Thames Valley mum whose 13-year-old son fell victim to child exploitation.
The NSPCC has several resources on child criminal exploitation for parents and professionals while the National Child Criminal Exploitation Support Service offers 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.