COVID-19 and Child Criminal Exploitation: Closing Urgent Knowledge and Data Gaps on the Implications of Pandemic for County Lines.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Sociology & Social Policy
Abstract
The number of potential victims of modern slavery referred to the National Crime Agency's National Referral Mechanism has risen consistently since the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. A significant contributor to this rise is the emergence and prominence of Child Criminal Exploitation, typified by 'county lines' trafficking, where narcotics gangs use groomed children and 'cuckooed' properties to export and sell drugs from larger metropolitan areas in rural towns and villages.
COVID-19, specifically the social distancing measures designed to slow rates of infection, will affect both the illegal activity and the responses to it. The pandemic's impacts require an urgent response in the areas of detection, enforcement, prevention and safeguarding. By interviewing key frontline multisectoral stakeholders from police, NGOs and others in the statutory sector, and analysing appropriate data, we will identify any changes to criminal business models and modus operandi, and subsequent impacts on safeguarding, offering recommendations for mitigation and other remedial interventions. We will investigate whether changes to criminal practice will prove more profitable and/or lower risk, thus facilitating a long-term reconstitution of criminal behaviour that is more difficult to detect and more resilient to the effects of future exogenous shocks such as the one caused by COVID-19.
COVID-19, specifically the social distancing measures designed to slow rates of infection, will affect both the illegal activity and the responses to it. The pandemic's impacts require an urgent response in the areas of detection, enforcement, prevention and safeguarding. By interviewing key frontline multisectoral stakeholders from police, NGOs and others in the statutory sector, and analysing appropriate data, we will identify any changes to criminal business models and modus operandi, and subsequent impacts on safeguarding, offering recommendations for mitigation and other remedial interventions. We will investigate whether changes to criminal practice will prove more profitable and/or lower risk, thus facilitating a long-term reconstitution of criminal behaviour that is more difficult to detect and more resilient to the effects of future exogenous shocks such as the one caused by COVID-19.
Publications
BREWSTER, B`
(2021)
Covid-19, Vulnerability and the Safeguarding of Criminally Exploited Children
BREWSTER B
(2021)
(Abstract) COVID-19 and Child Criminal Exploitation: Implications of the Pandemic for County Lines
in JOURNAL OF MODERN SLAVERY A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Human Trafficking Solutions
BREWSTER B
(2021)
Policing County Lines: Impact of COVID-19
Brewster B
(2023)
Covid-19 and child criminal exploitation in the UK: implications of the pandemic for county lines.
in Trends in organized crime
Description | Initial findings of an ongoing research project indicate that restrictions introduced in response to COVID-19 have forced adaptations in the methods used by County Lines drug supply networks and have impacted upon the ways in which frontline professionals work to detect and effectively safeguard children and young people. COVID-19 restrictions hamper the ability of frontline agencies to risk-assess child exploitation, and exacerbate the potential for County Lines related exploitation and harm to remain hidden. Ongoing concerns include: • Safeguarding capacity - reduced contact with young people due to lack of resources; doorstep/telephone communication replacing face-to-face interaction; and victims of exploitation falling through the net due to school closures. • Evolving County Lines supply methods - increased levels of cuckooing with young people remaining in trap- houses for longer; greater use of local children involved in transporting drugs; perpetrators claiming to have COVID- 19 in order to avoid being stopped, questioned and arrested; and use of supermarket carparks to co-locate with customer shopping routines. • Implications for children and young people - heightened risk of exploitation due to greater social media and internet use; feelings of isolation, and greater substance misuse among children residing away from family members. |
Exploitation Route | As the only study we are aware of specifically studying the implications of COVID-19 on county lines and Children Criminal Exploitation, our research contributes to a relatively small but growing field of academic literature (Coomber and Moyle, 2018; Coomber, McLean et al., 2019) Moyle and Windle, 2020; Windle and Briggs, 2015; Hesketh and Robinson, 2019; Robinson et al., 2018; Spicer, 2018; Stone, 2018), in addition to government agency reports, threat assessments and guidance (NCA, 2015, 2016, 2017; HM Government, 2020), third sector evaluations (Spicer, 2018; Hudek, 2018; Turner, Belcher and Pona 2019; Wroe, 2019; Rescue and Response, 2020; Caluori, 2020;) and journalistic accounts (Daly, 2017; Jones, 2018; Hymas, 2020). The long-term impacts of the pandemic on this model of drug supply, the children and young people impacted by it, and the the practitioners who work in response, are still emerging. However, the research conducted for this project has made a significant contribution to the evidence base that informs understanding of the changes and continuiities that occured throughout the duration of the pandemic. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Healthcare Government Democracy and Justice |
URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/rights-lab/resources/reports-and-briefings/2021/february/briefing-policing-county-lines-during-covid-19.pdf |
Description | The project results have, so far, received a remarkable amount of engagement from prominent policy figures and practitioners working in statutory and non-statutory functions. It is perhaps too early since the commencement of the award to see this initial engagement translated into visible impact on policy and practice, however we believe that the two policy briefings we have published to date have cultivated an engaged audience of potential research users. As our interim findings transition to concrete recommendations, we fully expect to be able to evidence informing policy and practice. To date, we have submitted relevant evidence submissions to the UN National Rapporteur for Human Trafficking, the British Academy and Home Office parliamentary select committee. |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | Bracknell Forest |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Description | Exemplary Safeguarding |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre Assessment |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://modernslaverypec.org/assets/downloads/Modern-Slavery-PEC-Policy-Brief-Impact-of-Covid-19-on-... |
Description | National Youth Agency - Between the Lines |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
URL | https://nya.org.uk/resource/between-the-lines/ |
Description | Online Harms - Home Affairs Select Committee call for evidence: Home Office preparedness for Covid-19 (Coronavirus) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/rights-lab/resources/reports-and-briefin... |
Description | Public Heath England |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/county-lines-exploitation-applying-all-our-health/county-... |
Description | Response to Joint Questionnaire of Special Procedures with a focus on contemporary forms of slavery and related exploitation |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/rights-lab/resources/reports-and-briefin... |
Description | 'Anti-slavery awareness day', 18th October, Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dr. Grace Robinson presented findings from the research as part of an Anti slavery awareness day panel, hosted by the Coventry Safeguarding Partnership. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | 'Social Work with Children and Families: Expert Panel', 30th November, UoN event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr. Grace Robinson presented findings from the research at a 'Social work with children and families' seminar. The seminar was attended by academics as well as professional practitioners and third sector organisations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | 'Tackling County Lines', 12th March, Forensic Analytics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Providing training for police officers on tackle county lines and Child Criminal Exploitation, with a specific emphasis on covering issues that may have have have been impacted by the pandemic. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.forensicanalytics.co.uk/events/45-tackling-county-lines-free-webinar/ |
Description | Ann Craft Trust - Feature on Website |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Research was featured in a piece focusing on the pandemic, organised crime and safeguarding by the ann craft trust. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.anncrafttrust.org/the-pandemic-organised-crime-safeguarding-young-people-at-risk/ |
Description | AoCPP - Member Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | We held a members meeting for the Associtation of Child Protection Practitioners discussing reserch findings and broader implications of addressing CCE and CL. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | BBC One News Feature 17/06/2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | BBC feature on the research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcone |
Description | Call for evidence - Home Office Preparedness for Covid-19 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Submitted evidence to Home Office call for evidence on their 'preparedness fo Covid-19' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Charing - Government Events "Child criminal exploitation 2021 - a multi agency approach". |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | chaired a day long event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Clewer Initiative - How is Covid-19 Impacting County Lines Drug Smuggling |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Media piece for the Clewer Initative. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://theclewerinitiative.org/blog/how-is-covid-affecting-county-lines |
Description | County Lines Digital Workshop - Westminister Insight |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Led a workshop session on the impact of county lines during lockdowns for Westminister Insights as part of their conference series. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Coventry Safeguarding Network - Anti Slavery Awareness Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Project presentation for an awareness event organised by the Coventry safeguarding network |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Daily Mail feature |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Project results featured in Daily Mail. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9696409/County-lines-gangsters-rip-nails-tear-hair-children... |
Description | Gem 106 Radio Interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Radio interview conducted for Gem 106. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | ITV News web and TV Feature |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An extended feature on ITV Evening News and on ITV news online. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.itv.com/news/central/2021-06-17/fingernails-pulled-off-stabbings-and-attempted-suicide-l... |
Description | LBC Investigation into County Lines |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | research featured in LBC investigation into County Lines, including an interview with Dr. Grace Robinson. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/county-lines-gangs-exploiting-children-as-young-as-eight/ |
Description | Nottingham Post (Policy Briefing 1, November 2020) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Nottinghamshire Post - "Nottingham study looks at how county lines drug network has changed with Covid-19 pandemic" - https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottingham-study-looks-how-county-4683736 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottingham-study-looks-how-county-4683736 |
Description | Planet Radio - County Lines gangs adapting to lockdown |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | coverage on planet Radio. including written piece and radio interview. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://planetradio.co.uk/gem-106/local/news/nottingham-un-study-county-lines/ |
Description | Policing Insight |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A blog was authored through Policing Insight in support of the project's second policy briefing |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://policinginsight.com/features/analysis/policing-county-lines-the-impact-of-covid-19/ |
Description | Policing Insight blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Our May 2021 research briefing was translated into a blog for the industry blog/news website 'Policing Insight'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://policinginsight.com/features/analysis/policing-county-lines-the-impact-of-covid-19/ |
Description | Presentation as part of University of Nottingham ESRC Diversity Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation on the project and its results as part of the UoN ESRC Diversity Festival |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Press Release (Policy Briefing 1, November 2020) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/county-lines-drug-networks-circumvent-lockdown-restrictions |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/county-lines-drug-networks-circumvent-lockdown-restrictions |
Description | Press release - project kick off |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Researchers investigate effects of COVID-19 on UK organised crime - https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/researchers-investigate-covid-uk-organised-crime |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/researchers-investigate-covid-uk-organised-crime |
Description | Radio Interviews (Policy Briefing 1, November 2020) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Our first research briefing, published in November 2020 was covered widely by both national and local media (Nottinghamshire). The PI gave an interview live on BBC Radio Nottinghamshire, and the briefing was included as a recurring news item on BBC Radio Nottinghamshire, and 'Gem 106' for 48 hours following publication. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | Research coverage by The Times Newpaper (John Simpson) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Our research was featured in the Times Newspaper in March 2021. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Safeguarding Champions Day Agenda - NHS Trust |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | PResentation given to NHS professionals |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of trafficking - the role of organised crime groups 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | We provided input for a combined evidence submission on the role of organised crime groups in contemporary forms of slavery (2021) to the special rapporteur. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Thames Valley Police drugs partnership conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | presentation at TVP partnership drug conference in May 2021. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | The Leg It Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr. Grace Robinson featured on the 'leg it' podcast discussing the project and its results. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | The Telegraph Feature - June 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | research results covered in a print piece for the Telegraph on 17-06-2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | The Times Newspaper (Policy Briefing, November 2020) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | The Times (national newspaper) - "Gangs lure richer children" - Story was included in the edition of Friday November 6th, Page 14. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | The Times online piece - June 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | piece on times online, discussing some of the research results. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/county-lines-gangs-give-young-girls-to-dealers-6ns6qr9vr |
Description | Thomson Reuters Foundation (online article) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Thomson Reuters Foundation News - "England's COVID-19 lockdown feared fuelling child trafficking by drug gangs" - https://news.trust.org/item/20201106113116-bu2gu/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://news.trust.org/item/20201106113116-bu2gu/ |
Description | U21 Conference (2 talks on interim project findings, and the challenges of researching during Covid-19) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | The project's host institution, the University of Nottingham Rights Lab hosted the 2020 U21 Early Career Researcher Workshop, focused on Modern Slavery, Forced Labour and Human Trafficking: Research Roadmaps to 2030. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://universitas21.com/sites/default/files/2020-12/u21_ecr_workshop_programme_26.11.20.pdf |
Description | UoN Covid-19 Anniversary Vlog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The University held a series of Covid-19 'anniversary' events for which they published a short Vlog on social media of me discussing the research project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://twitter.com/UoNPressOffice/status/1373997835578920962?s=20&t=vSenzo-_LojyLnzxfyfY2w |
Description | UoN Vision Blog |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prepared a blog on project results for the UoN 'Vision' blog series. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/vision/hiding-in-plain-sight-county-lines-during-covid-19 |
Description | Vice - Children Tortured and Raped by County Lines gangs |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | research feature in Vice |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.vice.com/en/article/4avn4j/children-tortured-and-raped-by-county-lines-drug-gangs |
Description | Vice - Trap Houses Article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Provide input into a piece for VICE on the use of trap houses and the role of cuckooing in CLs |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3vw7w/uk-police-shut-down-record-trap-houses |
Description | York St. John - Symposium on County Lines and Women: a focus on North Yorkshire |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Participated in symposium roundtables hosted by York St. John University, entitled 'County Lines and Women: a focus on North Yorkshire' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/symposium-on-county-lines-and-women-a-focus-on-north-yorkshire-ticket... |