A ‘giant step forward’ to stop child-grooming predators | Policy

Predators who try to lure children into terrorism, drug dealing and shoplifting will face tough sentences if the government backs a bid to change the law.

Former Health Secretary Victoria Atkins is leading the charge to make it an offense to attempt to recruit anyone under the age of 18 into criminal activity.

It is hoped that this will prevent children from working in the drug trade across county lines or carrying guns for adults.

Ms Atkins will introduce a bill that would make it an offense to approach a child for such purposes – regardless of whether the child commits the offence.

If an adult tries to train a child to commit a crime, that child would be liable to life in prison.

She said: “The exploitation of children by criminal gangs is abhorrent – and it must be stopped. This bill will toughen our laws to ensure that adults who want to groom children to take part in their illegal activities face the full weight of the law, with sentences that make it clear that this country will never tolerate such abuse.

“I will continue to work with colleagues across the House to give the police and courts the powers they need to protect our children and young people.”

The Children’s Society gave strong support to the bill, saying: “A legal definition of criminal child exploitation would be a huge step forward in protecting our children. It would mean that, finally, children and teenagers who are manipulated and coerced into crime are seen for what they are – victims, not criminals.”

Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, said she would “welcome any legislation”, adding: “I would like to see high quality services for young people embedded in the community and a co-ordinated approach to help identify early of children at risk”.

Catch22’s Johnny Bolderson, who works to stop child exploitation, said: “Each year tens of thousands of children and young people are criminally exploited. According to British Transport Police, one in five teenage boys say they or their friends have been offered work by criminal gangs.

“The problem is growing and the victims are getting younger and younger. We strongly support this bill as one of a series of measures needed to combat the criminal exploitation of children.

“We know from experience that a perpetrator can spend many months looking after a child before that child undertakes criminal activity in their name. Stopping this behavior early and before a crime is committed must be a positive step.”

Warning of the consequences for children who come under the influence of criminals, he said: “The long-term impact of exploitation, the psychological and physical trauma, cannot be underestimated. A young person can be affected by exploitation, education, police record, family and peer relationships.

“I cannot take back these important years; they have only one childhood. That is why, in addition to toughening the law, we also need continued investment in raising awareness of the risk of care among young people and educating parents and trusted adults about how to spot signs of criminal exploitation and where to we get support.”