Help reduce violence and protect the vulnerable by looking out for child exploitation

Northamptonshire Police is focused on reducing violent crimes and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities from harm. The Force is asking everyone to be on the look-out for signs of child criminal exploitation – which is a form of child abuse.

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, or the sexual exploitation of children and young people.

Children and young people can be targeted by predatory individuals and criminal gangs - who often take advantage, befriend and manipulate them into criminal activity.  Or they can be groomed by other young people (their peers).

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 on 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.

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.

Detective Chief Inspector Jen Castle, head of Child Safeguarding said: “We want to help children and young people break free and draw them away from exploitation, and bring those who criminally and sexually exploit children to justice.

“We will go after anyone who sets out to harm children – but we need help from our communities in order to protect those at risk.

“Children are often too frightened to speak up themselves to either disclose offences or to seek support. This is often due to worries that they will be in trouble, or because of threats of physical violence from those exploiting them, or due to stigma, prejudice or embarrassment, or thinking they will not be believed. So, we need to be their voice.

“Abuse is often hidden in plain sight – the signs are there if we look for them. We need everyone to be thinking about child exploitation, spotting it, and speaking out so we can protect victims, deter predators, and stop those looking to coerce and lead children into a life of crime.”

Any child can be exploited or abused, no matter their background, culture, ethnicity or religion, whether they are a boy or girl. 

The Children’s Society is a charity that developed the national #Look Closer child exploitation awareness campaign. Their website www.childrenssociety.org.uk is filled with information and resources for professionals and parents about child exploitation. The website explains that: ‘Every child is different, and every child has their own story. But any child can be exploited – whoever they are and wherever they live.’

It goes on to say: ‘We all have ideas about who we think an exploited child might be. But it’s important to remember that any child might need our support. They might be younger or older. Any gender. Any background. It’s our job to look closer, spot signs of exploitation and stop this abuse from happening.’ 

There are lots of signs to look for.  One sign on its own does not mean someone has been exploited, but several signs together should give you cause for concern.

Spotting the signs

Changes in appearance:	Clothing, personal hygiene, talking differently, tired
Injuries:	Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, marks. Reluctance to seek medical attention.
Online:	Spending more time online. Secretive activity, Reluctance to come offline. Have they distanced themselves from family, friends and usual activities? Receiving odd calls and messages.
Change in friends:	Sudden changes in who they are ‘hanging out’ with, including meeting new people from social media. Associating with older men and/or women.
Possessions:	Unexplained items, e.g., new clothing, money, phone, jewellery, drugs.
Change in behaviour:	Have they become unusually secretive, fearful or withdrawn, aggressive or distanced themselves from family and friends or involved in anti-social behaviour?
New places:	Discovering they have been going to new places where they have no obvious connections.
Coping mechanisms:	Alcohol/drug use/self-harm – what they may be doing or using in order to cope.
Missing day or night:	Missing from home or education. Not knowing where they are or who they are with.

If you suspect a person of carrying out child criminal exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, don’t keep quiet. There are people who can help.

Contact the police online or call the non-emergency number, 101. If someone is in immediate danger of harm, please call 999. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  Help and advice is also available from the NSPCC 0808 800 5000 and Childline on 0800 1111.