Child exploitation

Child criminal exploitation

In this section, you can find information about where to get help and advice around Child Criminal Exploitation.

It’s possible that you may have you seen a change in behaviour in a child recently and don’t understand why this is happening.

You may be worried about a child or group of children is being criminally exploited.

You may be thinking they may be involved in selling drugs or other types of criminal activity.

Child criminal exploitation is when children are used by people, sometimes in gangs/groups, for criminal activity such as carrying or selling drugs/weapons, running money through ticket machines, helping with robberies.

Young people sometimes call it ‘going cuntch’, ‘going country’, ‘going OT’, or  ‘working a line’.

Sometimes, children get sent out of the area by adults/gangs for days at a time to commit crime which is of benefit to the adult/gang.  This is called exploitation and trafficking.

Local and national links are shown below.  Many of these will show how you can get in touch if you need to talk to someone.

Remember that you can also call into one of the Community Lounges or Family Hubs who will try to help you or put you in touch with the right organisation.

Community Lounges Community Lounge (stoke.gov.uk)

Family Hubs Family Hubs | Family Hubs | Stoke-on-Trent

Local Organisations in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire

Catch 22 is a local service supporting children and young people who are at risk of  Child Criminal Exploitation.  See more information here: Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Child Criminal Exploitation | Catch22 (catch-22.org.uk)

The Staffordshire Police website which contains advice and information around who is likely to be exploited and what signs to look for.  See more information here: Child criminal exploitation | Child abuse | Staffordshire Police  

The Community Directory may have sources of information and support.  Search here: Stoke Community Directory

Links to national websites

See here for information from the NSPCC about criminal exploitation and gangs: NSPCC

How to spot child sexual exploitation: learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-exploitation

Flor support and advice for children, young people, parents/carers, professionals and private sector organisations see here: Child Exploitation and Online Protection

For specialist support for young people who are affected by abuse, exploitation, and neglect, see here: County Lines & Child Exploitation

Support for parents and carers of children who are being exploited by criminals can be found here: Parents Against Child Exploitation (Pace)

  • NSPCC Helpline  Telephone 0808 800 5000 (available 24 hours a day, every day)
  • Missing People Helpline 116 000 text or call, email 116000@missingpeople.org.uk  (available 24 hours a day, every day)

Tools

Criminal Exploitation happens when children are persuaded or forced into criminal behaviour such as dealing drugs, selling or storing illegal goods, providing premises for illegal acts, or committing acts of violence, theft or vandalism. Vulnerable adults are also at risk. Those affected are at risk of addiction, criminalisation, mental health damage, violence and more complex forms of abuse like child sexual exploitation, gang membership and modern slavery. Families may be involved, trying to address the problem, or unaware. This is a safeguarding issue which requires police involvement.

The tools below may help you if you are supporting a child or family who you know or believe to be being exploited.

Information for professionals