Published: Wednesday 17th March 2021 | 2.28pm
A free online awareness session is being offered to parents, carers and guardians across Cannock Chase District to highlight the warning signs of criminal exploitation.
The Council’s Community Safety Team has commissioned Loudmouth Education & Training to deliver two virtual sessions which will focus on county lines, knife crime and criminal exploitation.
The ‘Under the Radar’ programme uses drama and discussion to raise awareness of county lines and will form the basis of the awareness session. In the drama, the character Mikey, looks back on how as a teenager he got groomed into running county lines for a criminal gang.
Information and advice will also be given by the Council’s Community Safety team and local policing team.
Sessions will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 30 March, 1.30pm to 2.30pm and Wednesday 31 March, 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
You can register by emailing communications@cannockchasedc.gov.uk with your name and email address. An email with the meeting details will then be sent.
The aim of the session is to educate adults about the warning signs of their child potentially being exploited by a criminal gang. Parents will gain an understanding of what criminal exploitation and grooming is, focusing on county lines as well as how to get help and support if required.
The programme is currently being rolled out to all secondary schools, the local Pupil Referral Unit and a number of primary schools.
This campaign forms part of a wider safeguarding campaign, ‘See something, Say something’, which aims to encourage people to report any concerns they may have about an individual.
It is being funded by the Commissioner’s Locality Deal Fund.
Councillor Alan Pearson, Leader of Crime and Partnerships, said: “The Council is committed to ensuring children, young people and parents are aware of the signs associated with criminal exploitation as well as making sure people report any concerns they may have about an individual.
“It is vital that we work together to educate parents, carers and guardians about criminal exploitation and the associated risks to protect children and young people. It is hoped these virtual sessions will help adults identify some of the warning signs and seek help if need be”.
“If you have concerns about a young person who is at risk of being exploited, report it by calling 0800 131 3126”.
Deputy Commander for Staffordshire Police, Mark Burselm said: “We would encourage all parents, guardians and carers to take this opportunity to partake in the free online awareness session into the criminal exploitation of children. The session is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of potential risks to children and how to report concerns and prevent exploitation by identifying the warning signs.”
For further information about this campaign contact the Community Safety team on 01543 464387 or visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/safeguarding