“Paul was not his friend and was just using him”
Getting support
Rob and Tyrone’s story was created with the help from young people at Cherwell School, Oxford and UTC, Didcot. SAFE! works with young people like Tyrone every day.
If you are struggling to cope with the impact of crime, tell someone what has happened, they might be able to help. To find out more about the support SAFE! provides, check out our website, or get in touch with us directly, and someone will call you back.
You can get immediate help from Childline on their website or by calling on 0800 1111.
Victim Support has information and further help for young victims of crime.
If you are in immediate danger, call the police by dialling 999.
How to recognise you are being exploited?
Some questions to consider. If you answer yes to a few of these questions, it is possible that you are being exploited.
- Are adults or older young people asking you to hang out with them?
- Have they bought you gifts?
- Have they asked you to do them a favour?
- Have you completed tasks for them and then not been paid the agreed amount?
- Are these people asking you to keep secrets from your family and friends?
- Have you started spending less time with your friends and family?
- Are you being encouraged to skip school?
- Do these people have influence over you?
- Have you stopped attending groups and activities you previously enjoyed attending?
- Have you noticed negative changes in your behaviour?
- Have you started to dress in similar ways to the new people you are hanging out with?
- Are you being secretive about your online or real life?
- Have you started taking drugs or using alcohol?
- Have you been beaten up or experienced injuries that you have had to lie to people about?
Advice on how to get out of drug exploitation
- Talk to a trusted adult.
- Seek help and support from SAFE! or Childline, contact info below.
- Spend time with family and friends you used to hang out with.
- Take a break from social media.
- Involve yourself in activities you used to do.
Dangers of carrying a knife
- There are legal consequences to carrying a knife, you could get a criminal record and get four years in prison, even if you have not used the knife.
- If you are caught with a knife at school or in the community you are likely to end up in a lot of trouble.
- Knives can make situations worse rapidly.
- A knife won’t keep you safe. You could end up being a victim of knife crime, with the knife you are carrying being used against you.
- If you use a knife for self-defence you could seriously injure or even kill someone.
- People who carry knives are more likely to end up in hospital.
- Don’t assume that other people are carrying weapons. According to the #KnifeFree website, 99% of young people aged 10-29 do not carry a knife.
The law around drug exploitation for someone Tyrone’s age
The age of criminal responsibility starts from the age of 10 years old, therefore Tyrone could technically be arrested and face charges under the following laws:
- The Prevention of Crime Act 1953 makes it illegal to possess a weapon in a public place.
- The Criminal Justice Act 1988 covers possession of a knife or bladed article in public and a sub section focusses on having such an item on school premises specifically.
- The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 covers all aspects of drug possession, including with intent to supply.
However, police are able to see young people’s involvement in county lines in the wider context and have acknowledged that there are other people who are more criminally responsible, such as Paul and his friends.The Modern Slavery Act 2015 defines slavery and trafficking and contains the defence for young people who commit offences due to being exploited.
Further information and support
For information on different types of gangs and info on how to spot exploitation visit NSPCC.
Fearless is a site where you can access non-judgemental information and advice about crime and criminality. It is also possible to report crimes anonymously through this website.
Honest information about drugs.
Visit #KnifeFree for information about Knife Crime.
For information and rights around Stop and Search visit Y-Stop.