Understanding County Lines & Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Specialist Training to Protect Young People and Disrupt ExploitationAt Smart Training and Consultancy, we provide expert-led training on County Lines and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to identify, prevent, and respond to the exploitation of children and young people.
With over 17 years of experience working alongside social workers, educators, police, youth services, and frontline practitioners, I have witnessed firsthand how criminal networks manipulate, control, and exploit young people. Our training is rooted in real-world practice, blending lived experience, frontline insights, and evidence-based strategies to ensure professionals can take action that leads to real and lasting change.
What is County Lines?County Lines refers to the systematic exploitation of children and vulnerable adults by criminal networks to transport and sell drugs across different areas. Gangs establish dedicated mobile phone lines to run their operations, using coercion, violence, and intimidation to expand their reach into towns, rural communities, and coastal areas.
Key Features of County Lines:
  • Criminal groups target young people and vulnerable adults to act as drug couriers.
  • Victims are groomed and controlled through threats, violence, and debt bondage.
  • Many are moved to unfamiliar locations, making it harder for them to seek help.
  • Criminals take over the homes of vulnerable individuals in a process known as “cuckooing” to use as drug distribution hubs.
  • The issue is widespread and affects all communities, not just large cities.
Many young people caught up in County Lines do not see themselves as victims. They may believe they have made a choice, when in reality, they are being manipulated, threatened, and placed at serious risk.
What is Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)?CCE is a broader issue than County Lines, involving the coercion, deception, or manipulation of young people into committing criminal acts. This can include:
  • Drug running and County Lines activity
  • Theft, shoplifting, and robbery
  • Carrying weapons or engaging in violence
  • Money laundering and fraud
The grooming process is often subtle, making it difficult to recognize. Young people may initially feel they are being helped or protected by older individuals, only to later find themselves trapped by threats, debt, or fear of consequences.
The effects of exploitation can be devastating, leading to:
  • Education disruption and exclusion from school
  • Breakdown of family relationships and social isolation
  • Increased risk of serious violence and harm
  • Long-term involvement in the criminal justice system
No child is too young to be exploited. Cases have shown children as young as seven or eight being drawn into criminal activity. The earlier professionals can identify and intervene in these situations, the better the outcomes for young people.
Why Training in County Lines and CCE is EssentialMany professionals interact with exploited young people every day but may not recognize the warning signs or feel confident in responding effectively. Without the right training, opportunities to safeguard young people can be missed, allowing criminal networks to continue operating unchecked.
At Smart Training and Consultancy, our training is designed to equip professionals with the tools they need to respond effectively. Our approach is:
  • Tailored to frontline practitioners, including social workers, teachers, youth workers, police, healthcare professionals, and safeguarding leads.
  • Informed by real experience, providing insights into how young people are recruited, controlled, and coerced.
  • Evidence-based and practical, combining the latest research with frontline expertise.
  • Interactive and solution-focused, ensuring participants leave with clear, actionable strategies to safeguard young people and disrupt exploitation.
What You Will Gain from Our Training:
  • A deeper understanding of grooming and exploitation tactics and how young people are lured in.
  • The ability to identify risk factors early and recognize the signs of exploitation.
  • Confidence in intervening and safeguarding young people at risk.
  • Knowledge of legal frameworks and multi-agency collaboration, ensuring the right safeguarding responses.
  • Real-world insights from lived experience, offering a practical perspective on what works in engaging young people and disrupting exploitation.
Why Choose Smart Training and Consultancy?I have spent nearly two decades leading national programs, shaping policy, and training professionals across the UK. As the Founder of the SOS Project, which grew from a small initiative into a £2 million national program, I have extensive experience in working directly with young people at risk, designing interventions, and influencing systemic change.
I understand the realities faced by frontline professionals and the challenges of engaging young people who may not see themselves as victims. My training is built on practical knowledge that has been tested in real-world scenarios, helping professionals take action that leads to genuine change.
Book Your Training TodayCounty Lines and Child Criminal Exploitation are evolving challenges that require up-to-date knowledge and a proactive response. Equip yourself and your team with the training needed to protect young people, disrupt exploitation, and create lasting impact.
Contact us today to discuss your training needs or to book a session. Together, we can make a difference.
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