HAS your child being recruited by ruthless London drug gangs to sell crack cocaine and heroin?

This is the terrifying question being asked as a new campaign aimed at parents and carers is launched by Southend Council and Essex Police, backed by the Echo.

The campaign is part of a response to “County Lines drugs gangs”, a national issue where criminals target children, as young as eight, and get them to move drugs and money in and out of cities and large towns.

#SeeTheSigns, urges parents and carers to find out more about how these criminal groups operate, and be aware of any signs that your child may be recruited to drug deal.

The council says doing these two simple things can help ensure your child is protected.

Mark Flewitt, councillor for public protection said: “Southend is facing the same issues as many other towns across the country, and is taking firm action.

“Our trained specialists are working extremely closely with the police and other agencies to make Southend as difficult as we possibly can for these gangs to operate.

“We want to make it absolutely clear that criminal gangs targeting our young people are firmly not welcome in our borough and will be dealt with in the strongest force.”

The campaign follows a week of national police action, where officers across the UK took part in a week of intensified action focusing on county lines, organised by the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC).

As part of County Lines, criminals can target children as young as eight.

 

They target children across all economic, ethnic and social groups, and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities. Southend is no different.

Helen Boyd, councillor for children and learning said: “It’s easy for us to believe that these issues only affect other people, but this kind of criminal gang activity is happening across all walks of life.

“There is no one type of child that is being targeted, and this campaign highlights the fact that all parents need to be aware of this issue.

“We hope that in giving parents as much information as we can about the issue, and its warning signs, as well as being a supportive ear for anyone who has any concerns whatsoever, that we can protect our borough’s children.

“I would like to firmly state that our professional specialist teams treat all children as victims first.

“If you are concerned that your child is being exploited or is at risk of being exploited by gangs then you can come to us for support and guidance.

“If you are worried, please call us. You will not be wasting our time.”

Earlier this week, the Echo revealed a vulnerable 13-year-old child had been exploited by a drugs gang and groomed to sell crack cocaine and heroin.

An NSPCC spokesperson for the East of England said: “Drug dealers often target vulnerable young people to take huge risks moving drugs for the benefit of others. We must be clear that young people who are criminally exploited are victims and need access to appropriate support.”

Find info at southend.gov.uk/seethesigns. If you have concerns contact seethesigns@southend.gov.uk or 01702 215007.