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<p>The latest threat assessment on county lines was published by the National Crime
Agency (NCA) in January 2019. This sets out that while criminal exploitation is the
most common exploitation type within county lines, victims are sometimes subjected
to sexual exploitation and these victims are largely female. The assessment also points
out the likelihood that females are underrepresented as both victims and perpetrators
of county lines criminality. <br> <br>Work is ongoing to protect those who are exploited
and target county lines offenders. The Home Office has provided £3.6m to establish
the National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) to enhance our cross border
intelligence and activity on county lines and to better safeguard and protect victims
of county lines. NCLCC has so far carried out three separate weeks of operational
intensification leading to over 1600 arrests and over 2100 individuals engaged with
for safeguarding.</p><p>In addition, the Government provides a range of support for
county lines victims including; funding Young People’s Advocates in Birmingham, Manchester
and London to work directly with gang-affected women and girls, especially if they
have been victims, or are at risk, of sexual violence by gangs including county lines;
funding through the Trusted Relationships fund of £13 million over two years to help
foster relationships between frontline professionals and young people at risk of exploitation
including county lines; and we have provided funding through the £22m Early Intervention
Youth Fund over two years for six projects which will specifically address those at
risk of involvement in county lines and criminal exploitation.</p>
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