By Nina Maxwell and Catrin Wallace

1.0 Summary 1.1 Introduction Child criminal exploitation is a complex social and cultural problem that has arisen due to a combination of economic and social factors. Much of what is known about child criminal exploitation relates to county lines, a model of drug supply where individuals, groups or organised criminal gangs manipulate or coerce children and vulnerable adults into transporting and storing drugs and money. This report was commissioned by Health and Care Research Wales to capture the voices of children with lived experience of exploitation, parents and professionals regarding how children are targeted, groomed and involved in county lines in Wales. Findings from this report will be used to develop a toolkit that underpins an effective community response aimed at improving the outcomes for children and their families. 1.2 Method Data collection was undertaken between October 2020 and May 2021. This period coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures and as such all data collection was undertaken remotely, either by telephone, Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Data collection was undertaken with three main groups: 1. Practitioner-led and researcher-led interviews and focus groups with 21 children who had lived experience of criminal exploitation. 2. Interviews with 15 parents who had at least one child who had been criminally exploited. This included 13 mothers and two fathers. 3. Interviews and focus groups with 56 professionals comprising representatives from British Transport Police, children’s services, education, health, housing, probation, youth offending services, the third sector and Welsh Government. To preserve and anonymity, this report uses pseudonyms when quoting participants. 1.3 Main findings 1.3.1 How does child exploitation manifest in Wales? Findings from professionals • Driven by ongoing demand to buy a range of substances including cannabis, cocaine, spice and prescription medication, child criminal exploitation manifests in three main ways in Wales: county lines, blurred lines and localised dealing. • The adoption of the term county lines may detract attention from children who are exploited by family members or local individuals or groups even where these groups were adopting a similar model and levels of violence as the county lines groups . • The presence of gendered notions regarding child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation poses the risk that sexually exploited boys and criminally exploited girls will not be identified or safeguarded.

• The distinction between child criminal exploitation and child sexual exploitation can serve to obscure the range of perpetrators, criminal activities, and the range of physical and sexual abuse children suffer when they have been exploited. 1.3.2 What makes children vulnerable to exploitation? Children’s views • A consistent theme across findings was the extent to which children were exploited due to the promise of financial gain and the assertion that making money through dealing drugs is easy. This served to minimise their perceptions regarding the risks and dangers inherent in their involvement. • Exploitation occurred across statutory, further, and higher education. Transitions, inclusive practice, school sanctions, and school exclusion were linked to heightened vulnerability to exploitation. • Peer influence was particularly salient for children as they strive to retain friendships and status. This can lead to the imitation of negative behaviours such as involvement in drug dealing activities or other forms of criminality. • Cannabis was used as a hook exploitation. This was either through introducing children to cannabis or reinforcing the child’s existing use. Drug dealers used ‘strapping’ where children were given drugs but then expected to pay for them later. 1.3.3 How are children involved in these activities? Findings from parents • While parents had noticed changes in their child’s attitudes, behaviours and peer groups, a lack of knowledge about exploitation meant that this was often not identified, understood or addressed. • Transition from primary to secondary education and secondary education to further education, and managed school moves emerged as a critical periods where children were groomed as they strived to form new friendships. • Indoctrination emerged as a core grooming tool where children are told that the people who were exploiting them are their new ‘family’. This is reinforced in two main ways. First, exploiters presented themselves as friends, role models, and in some cases father figures. Second, children were coached in techniques to deter their parents from seeking support. • On reflection, parents felt that missing episodes were the biggest indicator of exploitation. However, at the time, parents dismissed their children staying out late or staying overnight with friends as normal reactions to factors such as family arguments, parental separation, negative peer groups or difficulties at school. • Serious violence was closely linked to child criminal exploitation. Children were both victims and perpetrators of violence. Many parents had experienced violence and threatening behaviour from their children and threatening visits from drug dealers to their workplaces or homes. etc....   

Cardiff, Wales: Cardiff University, 2021. 62p.