“It’s almost as if a generation of 15- and 16-year-olds was skipped by those who were looking to recruit and instead, they went to 13- and 14-year-olds, presumably, because they were more malleable.
“They could threaten and frighten them more and they’re less likely to be stopped by police,” Longfield, who founded think tank the Centre for Young Lives, told CYP Now.
She added that children are being targeted by gangs attempting to coerce them into involvement in crime both online and in the community.
An increase in the numbers of children who have not returned to school following the pandemic puts young people at greater risk of exploitation, Longfield explained.
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
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
