“There is evidence that primary school age children – as young as seven – are targeted,” states the report. There can be a lack of recognition of criminal exploitation of younger children and so opportunities to protect under-10s can be missed, it added. The report focuses on the criminal exploitation of children, best known via the “county lines” tactic, whereby drug gangs use children to break into new markets. Around 65% of forces reported county lines being linked to child exploitation, while 74% noted vulnerable people being targeted. Nikki Holland, the National Crime Agency’s director of investigations and national county lines lead, said: “While we are making progress, an effective UK response to county lines requires a whole system approach.

Source: The Guardian July 04, 2019 22:52 UTC