Know signs of a child’s exploitation by criminals
FILM RELEASED IN CAMPAIGN TO PUT FOCUS ON GROWING ISSUE
POLICE have launched a campaign to teach parents how to tell if their children are being exploited by criminal gangs.
Are you listening? includes a film made by the force and others to tackle the problem of child criminal exploitation in the city and county.
Agencies have been working with 178 children since the beginning of the year – some as young as nine – who have been exploited by criminal gangs.
In September, police said significant numbers of children were delivering drugs on their bikes around the county.
The three-minute film, funded by the Violence Reduction Network, is aimed at all adults who have children or grandchildren, as well as those who work with young people.
The signs they are urged to look out for include:
■ An increase in phone calls or messages to the child;
■ The child having new belongings they can’t account for;
■ Regular absence from schools and clubs.
The most common form of child exploitation is drug dealing, with large operations in big cities grooming youngsters to work for them.
Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Drummond, the force’s child exploitation and safeguarding lead, said: “Any child, boy or girl, from any culture or background can be targeted by criminals, so it is important we all look out for the children and young people in our lives.
“The force and partners are working extremely hard to deal with criminals who exploit children, but we also want to be part of the fight against preventing it in the first place.
“The signs highlighted in the film are often some of the first indicators of concern and it is at this stage we want to act, before it becomes a bigger and potentially dangerous situation.
“We also know many children involved in this type of activity don’t see themselves as victims, so the longer they are involved the harder it can be to intervene.
“Even so, it is important they are treated as victims and get the help and support they need.
“This type of criminality is underreported, so we hope this resource will encourage people to be more vigilant.”
Police and crime commissioner Lord (Willy) Bach said: “It is critical we do everything we can to protect and support those at risk of criminality and exploitation.”