The UK Government is currently planning to introduce new laws to govern Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)[1]. Child Criminal Exploitation is a type of abuse which entails the exploitation of a child by criminal gangs. Drug-dealers often recruit children into gangs, coercing such children to travel to different parts of the country for the primary purpose of supplying drugs. This process is known as county lines, and it is harmful to such children as it exposes them to dangerous individuals. The Strategic Threat Risk Assessment defines county lines as the supply of illegal drugs which comprises mainly of crack cocaine and heroin across cities and towns in the United Kingdom.
The Crime and Policing Bill: child criminal exploitation, cuckooing (home takeover) and coerced internal concealment factsheet outlines the government’s proposed actions and methodology. In order to reduce the use of county lines, the government intends to criminalise home takeovers which is also known as cuckooing. This situation occurs when criminals take over the home of another person to utilise for criminal activity. Such individuals are often people with drug addictions or mental health. The government has identified a link between cuckooing and the county lines business model.[2]
The government intends to create a new standalone offence to prosecute relevant adults who are discovered to have committed child criminal exploitation. The aim of this law is to deter adults from exploiting children. The bill will also make it an offence to take control of an individual’s dwelling without their consent. In order for legal consent to be granted, consent must be freely given and there must be no coercion, deception or abuse. The individual must be 18 years of age and must have been provided with complete information. This offence will carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and or a fine. This bill also plans to add cuckooing to Schedule 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 under “criminal lifestyle offences”. Victims will also be automatically eligible for “special measures” when giving evidence in court proceedings.
The latest Children in Need Census data (for assessments in the year ending 31 March 2024) in England recorded the following data:
- 2,891 referrals of child potential victims for criminal exploitation in 2024
- 2,888 children recorded as involved in County lines in 2023/24
- 15,750 episodes of need where child criminal exploitation was identified as a concern
- 10,180 episodes of need where children being part of a street or organised crime gang was identified as a concern[3]
The context above links directly to our work with young people in the following ways:
1. Trauma Informed Approach
In line with Leicestershire Care’s Power to Change model, we focus on supporting participants to become empowered citizen whilst remaining fully aware of the individual trauma experienced by our participants. Based on the data provided and rapport built over time, we provide tailored support to our participants. We help them identify their strengths whilst enabling them focus on action steps they can take to create a brand-new future. In order to break down barriers, we organise personalised interview sessions, mock interviews and mentorship sessions. By engaging with stakeholders and the business community we hope that collaboratively, we can reduce the number of young people involved in organised crime gangs.
2. County Lines Distribution Model
As part of the data, which is shared with us from our referral sources, we identify that some of the participants referred to us have been involved in drug distribution and have therefore been involved in the county lines distribution model. When such participants are under the age of 18, although sessions are usually focussed on helping them access education, training, and employment opportunities, we also explain the dangers of drugs and the long-term impact a sentence can have on them once they become adults. We therefore aim to encourage participants to desist from illegal activity and thus avoid long term repercussions
[1] Policy paper
Crime and Policing Bill: child criminal exploitation, cuckooing (home takeover) and coerced internal concealment factsheet
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crime-and-policing-bill-2025-factsheets/crime-and-policing-bill-child-criminal-exploitation-and-cuckooing-factsheet#key-statistics
[2] National Police Chiefs’ Council, County Lines – Strategic Threat Risk Assessment https://www.npcc.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/publications/publications-log/national-crime-coordination-committee/2024/county-lines-strategic-threat-risk-assessment.pdf
[3] Children in need
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-in-need/2024
Successes
In the last year, we have achieved several successes as we supported participants in accessing or continuing in education, employment, and training opportunities. In addition to this, we forged new connections through the All-Things Youth Justice Podcast. This resulted in an introduction to a business owner who is scheduled to be featured on the All-Things Youth Justice Podcast.
For instance, we recently hosted a Time Products Youth Justice Work Tour. This event was designed to expand the world view of participants by exposing them to different departments within Time Products. During this tour, participants were able to learn about successful people in the business community who commenced their careers in entry roles and have progressed in their relevant fields. Participants found this event to be very valuable.
Some of our successes this year are as follows:
- 78 referrals received
- 34 YP attained or continued in education, employment, and training
- 16 external business-related events
- 34 internal employability sessions
- 3 All Things Youth Justice podcast episodes
- 34 occasions of business member involvement
If you are a business and would like to get involved in the work that we do by providing valuable work experience/work trials, please get in touch using the email address below.
Youth Justice Project Development Manager
Chikodi Lori
chikodi@leicestershirecares.co.uk
To read about our Power to Change approach, click on the link below:
https://www.leicestershirecares.co.uk/about-charity/our-approach/power-to-change/#:~:text=We%20believe%20our%20power%20to,city%20and%20county%20for%20all.
For more information and insight into our Youth Justice Projects click the links below:
Time Products Youth Justice Work Tour | Leicestershire Cares
YOUTH JUSTICE MOCK INTERVIEW SESSION | Leicestershire Cares
All Things Youth Justice Podcast: Mindset, Making Mistakes & Moving Forward | Leicestershire Cares
Man Cave Participants Dive into Finance and Business Strategy | Leicestershire Cares
Man Cave Session: Business Ideas, Marketing, and Branding | Leicestershire Cares