Leeds children at risk of criminal exploitation to receive vital support in £5m funding boost
The work will help to support hundreds of youngsters at risk of being coerced into criminal activities in Leeds
Vulnerable children at risk of criminal exploitation in Leeds are set to receive vital new support as a national charity launches a specialist intervention service in the city.
Action for Children will reach up to 240 children and families in Leeds over the next three years, with almost £5 million in National Lottery funding helping expand its work across England, Scotland and Wales.
The new service comes amid growing concern over child criminal exploitation, with more than 370 children in Leeds having criminal exploitation identified as a factor in their Children in Need assessments in 2024/25.
The programme will focus on direct one to one intervention and group work and includes five new members of staff in Leeds.
The charity says this support will help them to reach more children and young people who are being coerced into criminal activities, including county lines drug trafficking, the transportation of drugs and weapons, cannabis cultivation, theft and burglary.
Lesley Gordon, director for Criminally Exploited Children at Action for Children, said: “Thanks to the support of The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players, we are able to expand our services in Leeds where high local need has been identified, working hand in hand with communities to tailor support to the challenges children and families face in their area.
“This project will drive forward our national effort to end the criminal exploitation of children, creating safer communities and better futures for the young people most at risk.
“We know the devastating impact exploitation can have. Young people tell us about being groomed, threatened and subjected to violence, leaving them feeling trapped and hopeless. One young person told us that without Action for Children's support, they believed they would either be in prison or dead.
“No child should face that alone. Alongside our intensive support for children and families, we'll work with partners to strengthen local responses and help parents, schools and communities spot the signs of exploitation earlier.
“By combining our national expertise with locally tailored services, we can ensure more children are seen, heard and supported before harm escalates, and provide the right support in the places where it is needed most.”