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Rhys, a youth mentor, has revealed that he was targeted by county lines gangs when he was just eight years old, being offered a football and cash for gas bills as an inducement. He experienced a decade of violence and peril until, at the age of 18, he turned his life around and became a family man. Rhys, now 27, is part of a police initiative aiming to help parents recognise dangers to their children. The Spot the Signs scheme, run jointly by the Wiltshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, is sharing educational videos and images on social media and school visits.
Rhys, who lives in the West of England, revealed that at home his family were drug users and therefore he was unsupervised and unprotected from predators. He said that he was on the streets when he was approached by gangs who asked him to look after drugs and answer their phone and rewarded him with cash whilst paying for his family’s basic needs. During his adolescent years, Rhys was threatened with hammer attacks and had knives put upon him. He spoke candidly about his experiences, saying that he hoped this educational campaign would help spread knowledge and tell-tale signs to concerned parties.
According to Pippa McVeigh, specialist officer in the neighbourhood harm reduction unit, the situation can be identified through a number of tell-tale issues. The signs of a young child being sucked into gang culture could include increased secretiveness, especially around mobile phones and social media, plus the sudden appearance of valuable goods such as shoes, phones, or e-scooters. In addition, lack of transparency around a young person’s movements or a changed lifestyle routine could be an indication of gang exploitation.
Supt Doug Downing who oversees local policing for the county, stated that crimes carried out by those under duress range from drug dealing to violent acts and high value thefts. In contrast, Wiltshire has been considered safe so far, although children can be at risk. If it is suspected that children are being exploited in any way, the police should be contacted immediately
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