Help keep Merseyside safe from criminal gangs and drug dealing

What would you do if you knew there was an opportunity to help protect children and young people from gangs? Would you protect them?

Gangs are targeting our children and teenagers to pressure them into engaging in criminal activity such as stealing, threatening others, storing guns or carrying drugs, money or weapons.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is an increasing problem in the UK and occurs when a child or young person under 18 is forced or manipulated into committing a crime, often by those involved in a gang and most frequently by using them as couriers in dangerous County Lines drug trafficking networks.

The children and young people are usually threatened, abused physically or sexually, tricked or groomed by someone who builds a relationship with them online via gaming platforms, social media or other apps, or in person, with a groomer often lavishing the young person with gifts and attention before taking advantage of them.

Many children and young people do not perceive themselves as having been exploited, believing they have chosen this path.

Sometimes exploitation can occur when a young person becomes indebted to a gang either through drugs, after agreeing to protection or accepting financial help even for something as small as a drink or something to eat.

The gang will hugely inflate the debt in a process known as debt bondage and they are left with what they feel is no option but to do the gang's bidding for fear of physical reprisals for them, their friends or family.

Child Criminal Exploitation has a devastating impact on victims, families and local communities.

Children and young people involved with gangs need help and support. It can happen to any child anywhere with key locations including public