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<p>The exploitation, grooming, and trafficking of children and young people is abhorrent.
The CPS takes great care to ensure the right people are prosecuted for the right offences
in county lines cases, by training prosecutors to have an increased awareness of gang-associated
exploitation and to scrutinise the evidence. This builds on clear CPS guidance which
recognises the principle of non-prosecution of victims of trafficking or slavery.</p><p>
</p><p>Early identification by investigators is essential, in order to avoid the criminalisation
of victims. On 1 October 2019, the Home Secretary announced a surge of activity to
crack down on county lines drugs gangs. The package of measures, underpinned by £20
million of Home Office investment, will intensify law enforcement efforts to disrupt
the county lines model, including the provision of specialist support to victims and
families in order to help children and young people exit their involvement in county
lines.</p>
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