Brighton and Hove like many cities and towns across the UK – is impacted by violence, vulnerability and exploitation related to drug dealing, serious & violent crime and the criminal & sexual exploitation of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
This is often referred to as ‘County Lines’ which refers to the transportation of drugs across the country by children and vulnerable adults who have been exploited by organised criminal gangs or groups. A wide range of statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations have come together to raise awareness of these issues throughout the second half of June 2019.
These agencies include Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC), Sussex Police, Office of Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, The Trust for Developing Communities, YMCA Downslink Group, AudioActive, Tarner Community Project, Hangleton & Knoll Project and Albion in the Community.
The events that have been organised will be supported by a social media awareness campaign called #spotthesigns which seeks to help us all understand what exploitation looks like, the impact it has on people and communities in Brighton & Hove, and how to access support if you or someone you know is being exploited.
Further information will be shared online by BHCC, Sussex Police and the local adults and children safeguarding boards and their respective social media accounts.
For more info contact The Community Safety Team on 01273 292735 or Sussex Police on [email protected] or call 101 and quote Op Cuckoo. In an emergency contact 999. If you would like more information at Neighbourhood Level you can also contact Claire Burchell, The Trust for Developing Communities Citywide Manager on 07450 281331 [email protected]