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Complex Safeguarding Wales

Warning signs for police

The police are often called upon when young people are in crisis.

There are a range of additional risk factors that police officers should be alert to when it comes to identifying criminal child exploitation.

Missing episodes

Missing episodes include when a young person goes missing for frequent short periods – such as, during the school day or overnight – or for longer periods of days, weeks, or months. This can involve being trafficked within the local area or across Wales into England.

Police officers should promote the use of existing systems such as the Philomena Protocol. They should ensure that parents, carers, residential home practitioners and housing practitioners complete the two application forms, accessible on the Greater Manchester Police website.

Missing episodes

Missing episodes are the biggest indicator that a child is being exploited.

Advice for parents on speaking with the police about child criminal expectation.

How to approach the police about child criminal exploitation.

Rehearsed or similar stories

Criminally exploited young people may be coached in what to say to police officers. They may present with similar stories or stories that appear rehearsed, similar in nature or obviously untrue. Rather than evidence of guilt, this can show that the child or young person has been told what to say by the people exploiting them.

Knowledge of police systems

Police officers may become suspicious when young people have a good working knowledge of police systems, the NRM and section 45 defence. Rather than being streetwise, this may be due to exploiter interest in ensuring young people are returned to the streets quickly and because they have been coached about what to say.

Young people may be enticed into crime by the offer of money or protection. They may believe they are choosing to engage in crime or be unwilling to accept that they are being used by others.

Young people often begin as runners, but they may move up the hierarchy quickly. This obscures the distinction between victim and perpetrator.

Loopholes

Exploiters are adept at finding loopholes in the current system. For example, exploiters ensure that criminally exploited young people only carry up to £900 due to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Under this act, non-specialist constable can only apply for detention and forfeiture of cash when young people have at least £1000.