Child Criminal Exploitation

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) happens when someone takes advantage of a power imbalance to force, trick, or manipulate a child into committing crimes. This can be in exchange for something the child needs or wants, or for the benefit of the exploiter, often through threats or violence.

CCE affects children and young people up to 18 years old. There’s no specific age when it starts, but younger children are increasingly being targeted. Younger children are less likely to be arrested or noticed by law enforcement, as the age of criminal responsibility in England is 10 years old. All children, regardless of their background, can be vulnerable to exploitation.

A key aspect of CCE is the imbalance of power. Children might receive gifts, status, or a place to stay in return for committing crimes. This imbalance means that true consent isn’t possible, and the choices the child thinks they have may not be real choices at all.

Further information

• The Children’s Society: Criminal exploitation and County Lines: A toolkit for working with children and young people
• Catch 22: Running The Risks: the links between gang involvement and young people going missing
• Home Office: Criminal Exploitation of children and vulnerable adults: County Lines guidance
• Catch 22: Child Criminal Exploitation Poster: how do gangs recruit and coerce young people
• NSPCC: Gangs and young people