You will need to talk to that person at the earliest opportunity.

It can be a daunting conversation but remember they may be scared or unwilling to talk about it.

We advise:

• It is critical that they know that you care, you want to listen and support them;
• Gangs are hierarchical and often younger children can find that they are unintentionally coerced into taking part in gang activity and they become victims themselves. As a victim, speaking up early can be a powerful thing;
• You should try to stay calm no matter how upset or angry you are- this is easier said than done but is also crucial to a successful outcome;
• That you try to ask questions, rather than making rash accusations;
  You listen carefully to what they say without interrupting them;
• Tell them it’s ok to say ‘no’ to requests that make them feel uncomfortable and point out that it can actually build respect and stop continual peer pressure or unwanted attention;
• You really try to understand the situation from their point of view and why they have joined the gang;
• Don’t take any explanation personally and try not to become defensive;
• Ask what you, your friends and wider family can do to help – try to come up with a joint solution together. Young people are more likely to stick to a plan, if they have been involved in shaping it;
• Carefully point out the risks and consequences of carrying drugs, knives or guns (or even storing or hiding them for others) – see our FAQ below;
• Try to find alternatives together to being in the gang;
• Suggest that they contact a Connect2 Community ambassador who can talk to them and signpost them for further help.

If you have a concern about the safety of a child, please contact your local council’s children’s services (often called a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) or the police if a child is at immediate risk.

If you are looking for general advice or information about safeguarding or child protection, contact one of our Community Ambassadors who can talk to them and signpost them for further help

If the young person will not engage with you, contact us by email and we will aim to put you in touch with one of our trained Community Ambassadors who may be able to help you make the breakthrough you need

Embrace (https://embracecvoc.org.uk) are a charity supporting children, young people and families who are victims of serious crime. Embrace help victims and their families cope with what has happened, support their recovery and provide services that enable them to put events behind them, to move on and fulfil their potential.

Victim Support has dedicated advice and support networks for young people and their families – see, https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/young-victims-crime. Their youth programme, You & Co, helps children and young people affected by crime.

As a victim of crime, you are entitled to certain information and support from criminal justice agencies such as the police and the courts. The Victims’ Code explains what you can expect from the moment you report a crime to what happens at and after a trial. To read the Victims Code – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/746330/victims-of-crime-leaflet-2018.pdf

County Lines is a serious issue where criminal gangs set up a drug dealing operation in a place outside their usual operating area. Gangs will move their drug dealing from big cities (e.g. London, Manchester, Liverpool etc.) to smaller towns in order to make more money. The ‘lines’ refer to the phones that are used to sell the drugs through.

In some cases children and young people who are registered as missing are being used in county lines. Gangs exploit the fact that they have run away from home and recruit these vulnerable young people to travel to areas away from their home town to sell drugs for weeks at a time. This can be a form of child trafficking as young people find themselves alone, in a dangerous unsafe environment being exploited to work – selling drugs.

They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move (and store) the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence), and weapons.

If you have a concern about the safety of a child, please see our advice above regarding contacting the emergency services or the local council’s children’s services (often called a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) if a child is at immediate risk of harm or exploitation. Or contact us for further advice and support