Campaign launched to teach parents about signs of child criminal exploitation
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CCE involves a number of types of crimes which can include drugs, County Lines, the carrying of weapons, money muling and serious acquisitive crime.
Stats from November 2020 showed there were a total a 436 victims of CCE recorded in West Yorkshire. Most of these victims were male and aged between 13 and 18 years old.
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Hide AdParents are often the first to notice a change in their child’s behaviour, therefore it is important to provide them with the information that they need to help protect their child.
Signs to look out for that a young person could be involved in CCE:
A sudden change in attitude, they become secretive or disrespectful.
They start making lots of repeat journeys without any real explanation.
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Hide AdEvidence of travelling to places they wouldn’t normally go for example used bus or train tickets
They go missing and are found in areas away from home
They have more money and can afford expensive items such as phones/ designer clothes
Their appearance may change. They could be wearing new designer clothes or the opposite appear dirty and dishevelled
They could appear to have lots of new friends who are possibly older.
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Hide AdThey become distant and there could be signs of harm of depression and they start missing school
Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, Chief Superintendent Jackie Marsh said: “The relationship between Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and serious violence is well documented and transcends a number of other crimes.
“The funding we have put towards this campaign will not only help to raise awareness of the signs, but also underline our collective responsibilities in preventing it.
“Removing and reducing the associated risks of serious violence and exploitation among our young people is one of our key objectives at the VRU.
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Hide Ad“By confronting the subject in this way is an important step in our collective efforts to protect those who are often the most vulnerable within our communities.”
West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Burns-Williamson OBE added: “I only recently spoke at the launch of an online regional conference in Bradford about Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and how we must work in close partnership to address it.
“I am therefore extremely supportive of this latest awareness campaign, as it will highlight better understanding of the ways in which CCE can manifest itself within our young people and communities, helping to identify its presence to take the necessary action.
“By drawing attention to the significance of this emerging threat and confronting it in a unified approach, we can best protect those we all love and care for.”