Although these forms of exploitation do not appear in their own right within the Care Act 2014, they are often linked to other forms of abuse or neglect and it is important to report any suspected activity to the Police or the Local Authority.
County Lines
County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including
sexual violence) and weapons.
Spotting the Signs
- Persistently going missing or being found out of area
- Unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones
- Excessive receipt of texts / phone calls and/or having multiple handsets
- Relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups
- Leaving home / care without explanation
- Suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries
- Carrying weapons
- Gang association or isolation from peers or social networks
- Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being.
For more information see our County Lines Learning Briefing.
Cuckooing
Cuckooing is where a criminal befriends someone who lives on their own. The criminal then moves in and/or uses the property to operate unlawful activity. Victims can often be lonely, isolated and vulnerable.
Spotting the Signs
- Increase of vehicles stopping at the property, often for short periods
- Increase of antisocial behaviour around the property
- Open drug dealing near the property
- Not seeing the resident of the property as often
- Increase of the number of people coming and going at various times of the day or night
Predatory Marriage
A predatory marriage is where a vulnerable person is exploited by someone who coerces them to marry for financial benefit or to inherit their estate. It is an emerging form of exploitation targeting vulnerable older adults. It can happen anywhere and to anyone, but those who lack mental capacity are especially vulnerable. Coercion and control is a key part of this form of abuse.
Key Facts:
- Predators identify victims through a range of methods and groom them
- The grooming process is often hidden in plain sight
- If a marriage takes place, any previous Will made by the victim is revoked, which is almost impossible to challenge
- If there is a power of attorney, the attorney is not notified if the victim marries
- Predatory marriage can happen to men or women.
For more information about predatory marriage visit https://www.predatorymarriage.uk/
Radicalisation
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies.
If you are worried someone close to you is becoming radicalised act early and seek help. The sooner you reach out, the quicker the person you care about can be protected from being groomed and exploited by extremists.
Police forces across the country have specially trained Prevent officers who work with professionals in health, education, local authorities and charities, as well as faith and community groups to help vulnerable people move away from extremism. They are here to listen and offer help and advice. Receiving support is voluntary.
Friends and family are best placed to spot the signs, so trust your instincts and share your concerns in confidence. The earlier you tell the Police your worries, the quicker they can get the person you care about the help they need to protect them from being groomed and radicalised. They are here to help. You won’t be wasting their time. Often there’s no need for ongoing police involvement and the right support could be provided by teachers, health or social workers, or specialist mentors.
To find out more about how to help someone close to you visit actearly.uk which is a helpful resource with advice, practical tips on how to start a conversation with someone you’re worried about, online safety advice and real stories.
If you have concerns about any of your friends, neighbours or relatives, you can tell the Police about them by completing a quick and simple online form.
You can call the National Police Prevent advice line 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with specially trained officers.
If it’s an emergency, please call 999.
If you see online material promoting terrorism or extremism, you can report it online.
For more information, including guidance for professionals visit Get help for radicalisation concerns – GOV.UK
You can also obtain further information and advice from the Cleveland Police web page Prevent | Cleveland Police
Act Early Safeguarding leaflets in English, Arabic and Bengali can also be downloaded.
Grooming
Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or vulnerable adult so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them. People who are groomed can be sexually abused, exploited or trafficked. Groomers may also build a relationship with the person’s family or friends to make them seem trustworthy.
Spotting the Signs
- Being secretive about how they spend their time, including when online
- Having an older boyfriend or girlfriend
- Having money or new things like clothes and mobile phones that they can’t or won’t explain
- Drinking or taking drugs
- Spending more or less time online or on their mobile phones
- Being upset, withdrawn or distressed
- Sexual behaviour, language or an understanding of sex that does not seem appropriate
- Spending more time away from home or going missing for periods of time.
Victims are not always aware that they are being exploited. Young people are generally targeted because of their vulnerability, however vulnerable adults can also be targeted. Children who are groomed can grow into vulnerable adults who become more at risk of ongoing exploitation. Being groomed can cause long term psychological damage.
Tricky Friends is a short animation developed to raise awareness of ‘mate crime’, exploitation, cuckooing and county lines.
The Exploitation Risk Checklist
Causeway Charity’s ‘Exploitation Risk Checker’ allows individuals to answer a series of questions to see if they may be experiencing, or at risk of, criminal or sexual exploitation.