Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Reporting Concerns

If you or someone else are in immediate danger or you need support right away call 999 now.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the Police textphone service 18000 or text on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

If you're in danger but you can't talk on the phone, you should still call 999, then follow these instructions depending on whether you're calling from a mobile or a landline.

Follow this link for further information about how to report child abuse.

What is Child Criminal Exploitation?

Child criminal exploitation is when someone uses a child (under 18 years old) to commit crimes for them.

It includes things like forcing a child to work on a cannabis farm, or targeting, grooming, coercing and exploiting a child to sell drugs in county lines operations.

Child criminal exploitation can involve bribery, intimidation, violence and/or threats. The child does not need to have met whoever is exploiting them - children can be exploited via the internet or using mobile phones. They can also be targeted via social media platforms and gaming forums.

A child may have been exploited even if it looks as if they have been a willing participant. Many young people do not see themselves as victims.

Children can be exploited by individuals or groups, men or women, and adults or young people.

People who exploit children use the fact that they have power over children, because of an age difference or some other factor like gender, intelligence, strength, status or wealth.

Who is likely to be exploited

Any child can be a victim of child criminal exploitation, not just those who are known to social care or local authorities. But risk factors include:

neglect or abuse
not having a safe and stable home
poverty
social isolation or other social difficulties
connections with people involved in gangs or crime
disability
mental health issues
alcohol or drug problems
being in care
being excluded from mainstream education

Signs of exploitation

Signs to look out for include:

displaying aggressive/violent behaviours
often going missing from home or school and being found away from their normal area
unexplained money, clothes, designer wear, jewellery, gadgets or mobile phones
having multiple mobile phones
getting lots of phone calls or texts
use and/or possession of drugs and/or alcohol
possession of hotel key cards/keys
committing theft/shoplifting
relationships with older people
unexplained injuries
carrying weapons
abandoning friends and their social circle
school performance getting worse
self-harm
changes in well-being
significant emotional changes (like becoming angry or sad), or becoming fearful, withdrawn or isolated
using different language/terminology
new peer groups and/or relationships with unknown associates

Risks of exploitation

Risks include:

emotional and physical harm
sexual violence
sexual exploitation
criminalisation resulting in custodial sentences, criminal records
risk to siblings
forced to live in cuckooed properties
being excluded from education
serious violence/death

Advice for children

If you are worried about a friend or concerned about your own welfare

You could:

contact Childline on 0800 1111 or online
ask an adult for help, like a parent or teacher you trust
call 999 if you think they are in immediate danger and need urgent help
consider speaking with your designated safeguarding lead if in education
talk to your GP or nurse, social worker, mentor, local police officer

How to leave a gang

try to spend less time with the other gang members
try to avoid places where you know the gang will be
contact Childline on 0800 1111 or online
ask an adult for help, like a parent, teacher or youth worker you trust
call 999 if you are in immediate danger and need urgent help
focus on things that you enjoy like sport, music, art, reading or hobbies

Advice for parents and guardians

Report possible child criminal exploitation

Child criminal exploitation is a form of child abuse. If you suspect someone of criminally exploiting children, or think someone you know has been or is at risk of becoming a victim follow this link for further information about how to report possible child abuse.

If someone is in immediate danger and needs urgent help please call 999 now. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our text phone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.