Parents & young people urged to spot the signs of criminal exploitation in Wiltshire
The campaign has been launched by the Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner
Last updated 12th Nov 2024
Police in Wiltshire are taking steps with a new campaign to educate and prevent young people from being exploited by criminal gangs.
Alongside the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Force has launched a 'Spot the signs' to boost awareness among children and parents.
Crime gangs will manipulate children into committing offences for them - in exchange for money or gifts. The young person is often manipulated and pressured into other offences such as stealing or carrying drugs or weapons.
The campaign, which focuses on education, will use targeted social media messages, school visits and real-life cases studies from young people who've broken free of organised crime gangs.
Both PCC Philip Wilkinson and Chief Constable Catherine Roper have identified tackling serious violence as a key priority for the Force, recognising the harm it causes to young people. their families and friends.
Mr Wilkinson said it's vital that young people become 'street wise'.
He said: "We see all too often young people being naïve, and revealing things about themselves and posting photographs for example to people that they don't know and those people will take advantage of those and then start making demands upon those young people.
"That draws them into self abuse, criminality and and blackmail, really. It pretty awful.
"It's how do we educate them so as not to be so naive? How do we help the parents spot the signs that they provide the appropriate advice to their children?"
'Young people don't recognise what's happening to them'
Wiltshire Superintendent Doug Downing told us the true scale of child exploitation is unknown, as the crime isn't reported enough.
He's urging parents, families and friends to report concerns to the Police.
"We know individuals don't always feel they can trust organisations, to report these matters, but equally we know indivuals don't always spot the signs and symptoms of exploitation."
Serious Violence Duty co-ordinator at Wiltshire Police, Natasha Gell, told us young people are often targeted by gangs because of their circumstances.
She said many victims come from difficult backgrounds, such as poverty, trauma or have been exploited in other ways in the past.
Ms Gell added: "Often what's really dangerous about it is that young people don't recognise that grooming process, especially young boys who are the primary victims of exploitation.
"They don't often recognise that they could be victims of exploitation, they maybe don't recognise the process of grooming when it's not sexual exploitation."