Crime and Policing Bill

Child criminal exploitation and cuckooing are set to become specific criminal offences as part of legislation currently going through Parliament. 

The Crime and Policing Bill – which also includes Ronan’s Law which will compel online retailers to alert police to bulk or suspicious sales of knives – is part of the Government’s pledge for safer streets and includes tackling the most serious violence – such as knife harm – which the VVU is committed to addressing across Essex.  

The child criminal exploitation (CCE) offence in the Bill is designed to target people who groom children into criminal activity, including county lines drug dealing. 

Cuckooing (which is when the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by criminals who use it as a base for illegal activities, such as drug dealing) will now carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison with the stand-alone child criminal exploitation offence a maximum 10 year sentence. 

The VVU welcomes the tougher laws for those who exploit and manipulate the most vulnerable in society. We will continue to work with our partners to support those who are victims of violent crime – ensuring they get the help they need – and maintain our focus on funding and developing intervention and education programmes to divert the next generation away from involvement in criminal activity.