What is child exploitation in Shropshire?

Child exploitation across the UK can differ depending on each area. However, Shropshire recognises exploitation as a form of abuse, and occurs when an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child, young person or adult (including those with care and support needs) into any activity that results in financial or another advantage for the perpetrator or facilitator. Activity includes arranging or facilitating the involvement or travel (trafficking) of these groups.

Specific types of exploitation include:

• Modern slavery (including human trafficking)

• Sexual exploitation

• Criminal exploitation

• Financial exploitation

• Any other exploitation that enables benefits of any kind (eg removal of organs, forced marriage, illegal adoption)

The victim may still be exploited even if the activities that they're engaging in appear consensual.

Further information regarding the legal framework Shropshire works to can be found on the Gov.UK website.

A common term used to explain child criminal exploitation is 'County Lines' – however this specifically refers to a drug supply ‘line’, where typically an OCG (organised crime group) will sell illegal drugs across areas. The term isn't relevant to the borders of counties. 

These lines are often transferred from one dealer to the next as arrests by the police are made. Commonly children will be exploited to help this criminal group. These children might be ‘runners’ but are often part of a tiered (usually by age) system, where older peers might be exploiting younger children, but are also being exploited themselves.