(CB):...The National Crime
Agency report County Lines
Violence, Exploitation & Drug
Supply 2017 analysed the exploitation of vulnerable
people, including those with mental health or physical health
problems. Sixty-five per cent of police services reported that
county lines activity was linked to the exploitation of
children. The police know perfectly well
that we are dealing with victims here. Once involved, victims may
want to get out of their situation but do not want to involve the
police for fear of self-incrimination or retribution by the
perpetrators. They are really caught in the middle. These victims
may carry a knife or other weapon for self-protection, as I have
mentioned. The real question is whether they are really criminals
for carrying that knife for self-protection. Other noble Lords
talked about what is in the mind. These children have got a knife
not to attack others, but to protect themselves. That surely makes
all the difference to one’s approach to dealing with these
children...
The (CB):...I
thank the Government for taking such a vigorous role in
addressing drug misuse in this country. The National Crime Agency
produced a report last week and has been taking action: there
were 600 arrests in the course of last week. The report revealed
that some 400 vulnerable adults and 600 children had been
referred to safeguarding services. Although I am not quite sure
who I should attribute it to, there was an estimate of 10,000
children, including 16 and 17 year-olds as well as some younger
than that, being used by the county lines networks. It was a much
bigger figure than had been estimated in the past. It is quite a
revelation that so many children are being exploited in this
way...
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