When C came to us, he was facing multiple criminal charges linked to county lines and gang activity. He arrived straight from the custody suite, exhausted and wearing the same clothes he had been in for days. C had been a victim of the gang he was associated with, exploited and placed at significant risk of harm. Going home wasn’t an option—it simply wasn’t safe.
C arrived with a curfew tag and strict bail conditions, with a court date just days away. Our team acted quickly, sharing his National Referral Mechanism (NRM) information with the court, highlighting that he was a victim of modern slavery. This was crucial in helping professionals understand that his involvement in criminal activity stemmed from exploitation. Given the risks he faced, multi-agency meetings were held urgently, and it was agreed that he would attend court via video link rather than in person, as professionals feared for his safety. The gang believed he owed them thousands of pounds, putting him at extreme risk.
Despite everything he had been through, C settled quickly into our service. For the first time in a long time, he felt safe. He threw himself into activities, engaging positively with the team. He missed his phone, but he understood that having it could put him at further risk, as it could be used to track him down. Over time, we worked with C to help him understand that the debt he believed he owed was part of the grooming process. At the same time, we developed a community safety plan to protect him.
To support his recovery, we introduced C to a mentor with lived experience who could guide him towards a positive future. We worked closely with his Youth Offending Team, incorporating our programme into his order as a preventative measure. The information we provided helped the court recognise C’s exploitation, shifting the focus from punishment to protection. Instead of being remanded to a Young Offender Institution, C was placed in a therapeutically informed setting where his risks were understood, giving him a real chance to rebuild his life. The judge acknowledged that this approach would lead to better long-term outcomes rather than simply pressing pause on his situation.
By working together, we helped break the cycle of exploitation for C. Initially, he couldn’t see a way out—he truly believed he had no choice but to remain in danger. The people he thought were his friends had, in reality, put him at risk. His family had been deeply worried, and with the local authority’s support, plans were made to move them to a safer place where they could be reunited.
"A child involved in gang-related crime or serious youth violence can be both a victim and a perpetrator. This requires professionals to assess and support their welfare needs while also responding in a criminal justice capacity."
C’s story is one of resilience, support, and second chances. With the right interventions, he was able to take back control of his life, breaking free from exploitation and moving towards a safer, more hopeful future.
