Kent Police Backs Campaign to Spot Exploited Kids
Kent Police is throwing its weight behind The Children’s Society’s new #LookCloser campaign. The week-long initiative, launching on 14 September 2020, urges the public to spot and report signs of child exploitation, especially around drugs and county lines.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled in Public Hotspots
The campaign targets busy places like train stations, fast food joints, roadside services, and hotels. Workers and passersby are asked to be vigilant. If you suspect a young person is being exploited by criminal gangs, report it to the police immediately. County lines gangs often groom kids to sell drugs – a dark tactic that thrives in plain sight.
Expert Warns Exploited Kids Don’t Always Look Vulnerable
“Young people caught up in exploitation often don’t seem ‘victims.’ They might act angry or aggressive, signs of deep trauma,” says Detective Inspector Matthew Talboys of Kent Police. “Many don’t even realise they’re being exploited and often mistrust police. They need to feel safe and heard before they can open up.”
How to Report Suspicions and Save a Child
- If something feels off, don’t ignore it – you could be saving a child from harm.
- Call police on 101 to report concerns.
- On a train? Text British Transport Police on 61016.
- In an emergency, always dial 999 immediately.
The Dark Reality Behind Grooming
James Simmonds-Read, National Prevention Programme Manager at The Children’s Society, says: “Criminals lure children with emotional manipulation, drugs, alcohol, and promises of status or wealth. Then, they trap them with threats, violence, and abuse. Any child can be vulnerable but many don’t see themselves as victims because of manipulation. That’s why everyone—not just police or social workers—must #LookCloser for signs of exploitation.”
Stay alert. Speak up. Help protect children from the hidden dangers of county lines and criminal exploitation.
