The rise of so called ‘County Lines’ drug trafficking, where dealers based in major cities expand their territories into smaller towns, using railway lines for transport and recruiting local children and vulnerable adults as ‘mules,’ is a growing issue for everyone involved in child social care. CF are currently part of a Suffolk County Council multi agency taskforce tacking the problem in our local area.
Until recently criminals typically targeted vulnerable children, aged around 15 or 16 who were attracted to the gang culture with promises of money, clothes, mobile phones or just the opportunity to be part of a social structure missing elsewhere in their lives. Many of those recruited come from broken homes, suffer neglect and abuse and often have mental health issues.
However, recent focus on these groups from both a social care and law enforcement perspective has led to the gangs re-thinking their strategy and broadening their recruitment base. This has led to stark warnings that all children are potentially at risk of exploitation, not just those from vulnerable groups.
In a blog for HuffPost UK, Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Barnardo’s says the very nature of what constitutes a “vulnerable” child is changing faster than services can keep up with.
He writes: “Across the country, there are children living in comfortable homes with their parents, who seem safe and secure, but the moment they switch on their smart phone, tablet or computer, they enter a whole new realm, where the usual rules, regulations and safeguards do not apply.
“From cyber-bullying to gaming addiction to online grooming, the risks are all too real – and they apply to everyone.”
For most children, the support of families and positive experiences at school will ensure they are not tempted into gang culture. However, the causes of family breakdown and neglect can occur across all social classes and there is no direct correlation between income and a positive family life
Gangs are now turning their attention to recruiting youngsters from more affluent homes in the belief they will be less likely to be picked up by Police. This is redefining vulnerability and extending it far beyond the cohort of children known to social services.
Parents are urged to take note if a youngster receives excessive text messages, phone calls or has more than one phone. Other signs include playing truant from school or going missing from home for short periods. The unexplained acquisition of items such as trainers, phones or cash would also be a concern.