Spot the signs: National Child Exploitation Awareness Day

Today (18 March) is National Child Exploitation Awareness Day.

Today is about shining a light on the hidden harm caused by those who groom and exploit young people for their own gain and profit.

Child criminal exploitation is a serious form of abuse, often involving county lines drug networks targeting teenagers and manipulating them into criminal activity such as transporting and dealing drugs, choosing them because they are less likely to be suspected or stopped.

We are working to raise awareness among parents, carers, communities and young people themselves about the signs that someone may be being exploited – and to remind them that support is always available, no matter how difficult the situation may seem.

There are several signs that a young person may be being exploited to look out for:

More than 90% of people in Bedfordshire involved in county drug lines at a lower level are boys - but exploitation can happen to any child or young person, regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, age or religion.

Visit the Lost Boys campaign page on our website to find out more about the work we're doing to tackle exploitation.

By knowing the signs, having conversations with the young people in your family, reporting concerns of exploitation and suspicious drug activity to us online or by calling 101, and seeking support when needed, you can help us protect young people and keep our communities across Bedfordshire safe.