Cuckooing Alert From Cheshire Police

Another very useful and valuable Cheshire Police alert article kindly sent to me by John from Blacon. This one is so very vital and hopefully readers will spread the word if they can. The warning is looking to raise awareness of child criminal exploitation. More specifically it is a cuckooing alert from Cheshire Police.

Have a read and take note please.

Cuckooing Alert From Cheshire Police

Thanks for the following John – much appreciated.

“Children in Cheshire could be at greater risk of exploitation by county lines drug gangs during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of a week of action to highlight the issue, officers in Cheshire are working alongside partners to raise awareness of child criminal exploitation. Also, how to spot the signs.

Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson said: “Despite the current national lockdown there is a risk that young children are still being exploited and groomed by drug gangs.

When children are in school they are in a protected and supervised environment making it less likely to be targeted by gangs looking to recruit them. For some children who may struggle with being at home they could potentially go missing, wander the streets and become vulnerable to the gangs who prey on them.

Cuckooing Alert – The Danger Signs

It’s important the public look out for children who are alone, or with a group of older teenagers or men, perhaps in public spaces or using transport; as they could be in danger. Schools provide a safe or supervised place for children and those who find home schooling difficult are more likely to visit parks, supermarkets and online environments such as gaming and social media platforms.

These venues are a haven to gangs. This could leave them more exposed to being groomed by gangs looking to recruit them as drug runners.

The gangs are part of a network known as ‘county lines’ who travel from cities such as Manchester and Liverpool into rural towns to supply drugs to users. They are known to befriend youngsters by initially giving them money and expensive items. But then often demand they run drug errands in return, which can lead to threats or violence.”

Cuckooing Alerts – Spot The Signs

You can help by spotting the signs below:

• Repeatedly going missing from school or home and being found in other areas
• Having money, new clothes or electronic devices and they can’t explain how they paid for them .
• Getting high numbers of texts or phone call and being secretive about who they’re speaking to .
• Decline in school or work performance.
• Significant changes in emotional or physical well-being.
• Hanging around in parks, supermarkets, using public transport or online games and social media platforms.

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Protecting Cheshire’s communities from serious and organised crime continues to be a key focus of my Police and Crime Plan. “I am pleased police and partners are working together to raise awareness to help protect vulnerable children who may be at risk of drug gangs. Especially while schools remain closed under the government’s lockdown restrictions.

Officers work day in and day out to protect the public and those most vulnerable from organised crime gangs but we must all play our part in recognising what signs to look out for.”

If you believe a child is being exploited please contact Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

More information about county lines can be found here County lines | Cheshire Constabulary https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines/“

Thanks for reading this important message folks. And, if you can, spread the word. Let’s make sure our youngsters don’t fall foul of these dreadful people. As schools will be reopening soon, this Cuckooing alert will be even more relevant. Stay safe everyone and keep your eyes peeled when it comes to our youngsters.

Chester Crimewatch

Another addition to our quite large, Chester Crimewatch, category. We all wish it wasn’t so large, but there you go. It’s a sign of the times we live in unfortunately. To see all the other posts in our Chester Crimewatch category, head on over to HERE.

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