Perpetrators befriend and manipulate vulnerable children to deliver drugs. 'Lines' are often referred to as the mobile phones that are used to control a child who may deliver drugs, often to places outside the area they live.

Typically, perpetrators use phones to receive orders and contact children to instruct them where to deliver drugs.

The Slang Dictionary, produced by The Children's Society has a full range of terminology used in relation to County Lines that would be helpful for practitioners to understand.

Perpetrators build trusting relationships and emotional connections with vulnerable children to exploit and groom them.

Children who are identified as targets may have vulnerabilities from various factors, such as family issues, poverty, social isolation, a history of abuse, or a lack of positive role models. Perpetrators look for children who may be seeking a sense of belonging, identity, or financial gain and respond with flattery, attention or gifts. They do this through:

• Guilt
• Emotional coercion
• Threats
• Isolating the child to deepen their dependance

Grooming can happen in person or online and children who are groomed can be abused, trafficked and exploited in various ways. Perpetrators will desensitise a child to the types of criminal activity they are part of, making it difficult for a child to seek help and break the cycle.

A gang can be defined simply, as a group of people who hang around together.

Children join gangs for a variety of reasons, including:

• Fitting in with friends and other gang members
• Feeling respected and important
• Protection from bullying or from other gangs
• Making money from crime or drugs
• Gaining status and feeling powerful
• Having the same interests as other people, like sports or music

OCGs are gangs who use intimidation tactics and corruption for unlawful gain. They are deceitful and unscrupulous in their pursuit of money, power or personal gratification through the harm of others, including children.

For most people within an OCG, crime is their 'occupation'.

It is not illegal for a child to be in a gang, as not every gang is criminal, however, OCGs are violent and tend to be involved in criminal activity, such as drugs, weapons and trafficking.

Perpatrators can often recruit a child through what is known as 'Chicken Shop Tax', a process whereby they will offer free food to a child who has typically been excluded from school. They are then coerced into dealing drugs for the OCG.

It is illegal to possess any weapon in a public place and it is against the law for any person to sell any kind of weapon to a child (anyone under 18).

If a child is carrying a weapon they may be being exploited.

Consider that they may carry a weapon for:

• Self defence
• Personal conflicts
• Gang related violence: protection of territory, rivalries and criminal activity such as drug trafficking

Speak to West Yorkshire Police for more information about knife related crimes and to access their resources click here.

Children and vulnerable people can become prisoners in their own home if they are exploited by perpetrators as they take over their homes for illegal activity.

Forms of illegal activity could include:

• The growing, preparation, storing and distribution of drugs such as cannabis and methamphetamine
• Concealment of weapons and cash
• Physical, emotional or sexual abuse (see our Child Sexual Exploitation page)
• Taking control over the home through intimidation and violence to operate criminal activities from a location which is not associated with them

Behaviour exhibited by children which involves physical force intended to hurt, injure or kill someone.

It includes a range of acts from bullying, both offline and online, and physical fighting, to more severe sexual and physical assault, gang-related violence or murder.

What are some of the causes and risk factors?

• Socio and Economic Factors Poverty, limited access to educational and employment opportunities, and unstable family environments
• Exposure to Violence Witnessing or experiencing violence at home or in the community can desensitise young individuals and normalise aggressive behaviours
• Peer Pressure Peer influence can lead to engagement in violent activities to gain social acceptance or protect themselves from potential threats
• Substance Abuse The use of drugs and alcohol can impair judgment and lead to impulsive and violent actions
• Mental Health Issues There may be untreated mental health problems, such as conduct disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress, which can contribute to violent behaviours

Watch our Masterclass on Serious Youth Violence which was recorded in June 2024 here

Any child can be a victim of child criminal exploitation.

This incudes children who:

• Are known to Children & Young People's Services
• Missing from school or college and who have been excluded
• Are open to services due to poverty, neglect or abuse
• Do not have a safe and stable home
• Have social isolation or other social difficulties
• Have connections with people involved in gangs or crime
• Have a disability
• Have mental health issues
• Have alcohol or drug problems
• Are in care

Any sudden change in a child's lifestyle could be because of criminal exploitation and you should talk to them about it, children are more likely to open up to an adult they have an existing relationship with.