Sheffield youths warned about 'County Lines' gangs recruiting youngsters to commit crimes
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Police forces in Yorkshire and the Humber worked with the youth arm of Crimestoppers to help educate young people about gangs looking for young people to exploit to carry out their criminal activities.
The campaign used social media platforms including Snapchat and Instagram to warn young people.
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Hide AdDetective Inspector Mark Catney, who leads on County Lines crime for the Regional Organised Crime Unit for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “County Lines crime is essentially hardened and experienced criminals criminally and often exploiting and grooming young people to do their dirty work.
“Young people will often be taken in with the promise of a glamorous lifestyle and expensive gifts.
“But all that is happening is that they are being groomed into a life of exploitation and the criminals will quickly show their true colours using physical and sexual violence to get what they want.”
He added: “Young people caught up in their web will then find they are the ones forced to commit serious crimes – usually drug dealing – whilst risking violence from other criminals and custodial sentences from the court.
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Hide Ad“We specifically targeted these messages on social media outlets where we could appeal directly to young people and to educate them about the realities of being groomed.
“Our research shows that social media is used by organised crime groups to target young people, so we are using it as the best way to reach those most at risk.
“If children and young people know how to spot the signs and that they or their mates are being groomed then they are less likely to be involved. That is why we developed this campaign with Crimestoppers.
“If just one person thinks twice about getting involved in the cycle of crime because of these adverts then we have made a difference.
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Hide Ad“The campaign was about being fearless – knowing what the signs are but also having the courage to do what is right and letting people who can help know what is happening.”