Safeguarding against criminal exploitation and modern slavery

Three Rivers District Council has updated their Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk Policy. The policy now supports the Council’s commitment to ensuring staff and contractors are aware of the risks of modern-day slavery, and the criminal exploitation of children and adults in relation to drug dealing through ‘County Lines.’

Cllr Roger Seabourne, Lead Member for Community Safety, said: “We have seen an increase in the use of serious violence associated with County Lines in our District and the Council is committed to combatting this through the joint actions of our Community Safety Partnership.

“The Council recognises that the children who have been involved in drug running have been exploited, in a form of modern-day slavery. We are committed to safeguarding those children with our partner agencies. With the support of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership, Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board, and Herts Constabulary – we continue to help support the children, young people and families affected by this exploitative crime.”