County Lines & Child Criminal Exploitation

Overview

The Crime and Policing Act April 2026 created a specific offence for adults who coerce, control or use children to commit any type of criminal activity. Child criminal exploitation is a form of child abuse where a child is exploited into taking part in criminal activity, often by criminal gangs. County lines exploitation is one of the most recognised forms of child criminal exploitation, whereby drug-dealing gangs manipulate and coerce children into drug running across the country, often exposing them to violence, threats and intimidation. It has a devastating impact on victims, subjecting them to a range of harms and reducing their life chances. There are more than 2,000 County lines organised criminal gangs across England and Wales and gang members often give children and young people a false sense of belonging, safety, and security, filling a gap that exists in their lives.

Who is County Lines & Child Criminal Exploitation aimed at?

County lines & child criminal exploitation training is for anyone who works within social care, health, education, residential children’s homes or voluntary and community organisations who need to gain a broader understanding of the complexities of County lines and issues to prevent or disrupt children and young people from becoming victims of exploitation and abuse.

Course Length

1 day

Learning Outcomes

I

On completion of this course, participants will be able to:

•    Understand the definition of child criminal exploitation and the connectivity with County lines, Child sexual exploitation and Human trafficking.  
 
•    Understand the grooming process and ways children and young people are targeted. 
 
•    Understand the different vulnerabilities of children and young people. 
 
•    Recognise signs and indicators of child criminal exploitation and County lines. 
 
•    Understand appropriate language and victim blaming