CYP Now - Drug gangs ‘using social media to groom young people’

Criminal gangs are increasingly using social media to exploit young people into transporting or selling drugs for them, research has found.

Gangs are using social media to establish local drugs networks, report finds. Image: Adobe Stock

A report by the National Youth Agency found that while policing has interrupted and closed down some “county lines” activity, gangs and dealers have changed the ways they work, with the impact of the covid pandemic resulting in the localisation of gang activities.

Dealers are using local young people as runners rather than young people from outside the area, while there is an increasing risk to young people from more affluent areas or supported family backgrounds, in county towns, who are less likely to be suspected by police. There has also been an increase in exploitation of young women who find it easier to move around during lockdown unchallenged.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included