Wiltshire parents warned of vapes leading to child exploitation
It surrounds selling illegal vapes
Vigilance is being urged by Wiltshire Police to parents across the county this summer over concerns youngsters selling vapes are being exploited by criminal gangs.
While police say it's not yet something that has been reported in the county, they're stressing that the summer holidays provides a window of opportunity for gangs to take advantage of.
DCI Megan Elkins told us vapes are an attraction for young people, with the variety of flavours, styles and their addictive nature.
"The really concerning thing here is that it's the same cycle as county line drug dealing," DCI Elkins said.
Starting a low level selling, groups gradually groom teenagers with the prospect of cash being earnt.
"That might mean that they can buy themselves some new clothes, things that they want, and that's where they've brought themselves into that cycle without even the knowledge that they've done," said DCI Elkins.
But what concerns her most, is what happens when young people get found with the illegal vapes by the police.
"If those vapes are seized from you by the police, for example, you again have got yourself into a situation where you now have to work back that money to the organised crime group that have got you selling them in the first place," she said.
Parents must not undo schools good work
DCI Elkins revealed that the force has been working with schools during term time, with teachers advising on behaviour changes in students and any that are not attending lessons.
She said: "The schools know to report that. And that's reason that we're trying to highlight this right now is because we're just coming into that summer holidays period.
"Parents just need to be extra vigilant so that we are getting on top of this as quickly as we possibly can and identifying those things."
We're told that if our children come home with new clothes, phones or vapes that we haven't purchased, questions need to be asked.
"The question should be, or who's got that for them? Because I didn't give them the money for it. And if you know that they're not working and they're not able to afford those things, how are they getting them?" DCI Elkins said.
She added: "I really do stress right now those parents need to be as vigilant as those teachers and those schools have been up until now."
Anyone with concerns over their child being exploited can call 101 or Crimestoppers.