Five years since the first NCA County Lines intelligence assessment in 2015: are we any closer in 2020 to truly ‘borderless safeguarding’?

Looked after children are a prime target group for the organised criminal gangs (OCGs) and criminal groups that operate county lines.

Crest is researching the criminal exploitation of looked after children in two police force areas, North Wales and Merseyside.

Since lockdown began, the received wisdom reported in the media has been that the threat from county lines operated by OCGs would reduce.

Crest is undertaking new research to understand how COVID-19 is impacting the criminal justice system.

Crest is undertaking new research to understand how COVID-19 is impacting the criminal justice system.

Two weeks into the UK’s lockdown the debate continues on how the public should interpret government guidance.