Child grooming for county lines to be criminal offence

‘Cuckooing’ is also set to be outlawed under a new crime bill

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN

Criminals who groom children into county lines drug dealing could be jailed for up to 10 years in new legislation set to be introduced next week. “Cuckooing”, where criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person for drug dealing, is also set to be outlawed, with offenders facing up to five years in prison under measures designed to protect young people from being exploited by gangs.

The home secretary said the two new offences, being brought under the Crime and Policing Bill, will ensure child victims are protected while those who prey on them are properly punished.

“The exploitation of children and vulnerable people for criminal gain is sickening and it is vital we do everything in our power to eradicate it from our streets,” Yvette Cooper said. “These steps are vital in our efforts to stop the grooming and exploitation of children into criminal gangs, deliver on our pledge to halve knife crime in the next decade, and work towards our overall mission to make our streets safer.”