Young people and exploitation by criminals: how early intervention can help

The criminal exploitation of children is a form of child abuse in which a child is forced or manipulated into committing criminal acts.

These crimes might includes selling and distributing drugs, cash or weapons (including County Lines), burglary, money laundering and violence.

The exploiter may give a child or young person drugs, a new phone, or some money for lunch. These gifts are used as a way to control victims, and will often result in repaying the favour.

Our service takes an early intervention approach to address the vulnerabilities that increase the likelihood of children being exploited into criminality.

It was the first project of its kind to use peer mentors, many of whom have experience of the justice system themselves.

This makes them accessible role models for teenagers who may have previously struggled to relate to professionals and avoided engagement with authorities.

The transformative grant that we'll receive across the next three years will allow us to open five new exploitation intervention services.

Alongside this, we'll be able to expand activity at three of our existing services in Edinburgh, Newcastle and Flintshire.

So that we can continue to take action and be there for those who need us most.

Getting the right support not only helps reduce criminal activity, but they also help families like Tom* and his daughter Amy*

Despite coming from a stable family background, Amy* was criminally exploited when she was a teenager. Her exploiters frequently pressured her to deliver drugs.

Her dad, Tom*, is extremely passionate about raising awareness that any child can be at risk of becoming victims.

He believes that his daughter's ADHD made her more vulnerable and an easier target for exploiters.

Amy's family began to receive threats, which led to her being hospitalised. It was at this point that she was finally recognised as a victim of modern slavery.