County Lines Digital Conference | 18 Jul 23 | Online Event – Westminster Insight

Join us online at this popular biannual event to hear the latest best practice and strategies from leading experts across the country. Find out how your organisation can help prevent county lines activity and provide appropriate support to victims and those at risk of criminal exploitation. Learn about disrupting County Line networks through intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration.

With the rising cost of living, criminals are increasingly exploiting children from families who are struggling to make ends meet.  Over the last six months there has been an increase in the use of social media by county lines gangs. Content resembling professionally produced job adverts have been appearing on Instagram and Snapchat to entice young people into county lines activity.

Gain key insights into the latest models used by perpetrators to groom children and young people, and the changing profile of those being targeted.  Hear directly from young people  with lived experience of County Lines drug smuggling and gang involvement.

With inspiring presentations from frontline services working with vulnerable young people and adults including police, health, local authorities, schools, youth services, social services and housing, you will learn how to identify exploitation and intervene at an early opportunity to divert young people away from gangs.

Confirmed speakers

• Chaired by: Kate Wareham, Director of Young People, Families and Communities, Catch22
• Detective Superintendent Gareth Williams, County Lines Taskforce Lead, British Transport Police
• Kendra Houseman, Deputy Head of Practice, Safer London
• Lisa Hooper, CEO & Founder, Escapeline
• Confirmed Parent Representative, Escapeline
• David Wright, Chief Executive Officer, SWGfL & Director, UK Safer Internet Centre
• Bethan Kelly, National Programme Development, Barnardo’s
• Phil Ashford, Senior Project Manager, National Policing Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP) & Norfolk Police

Sessions will include:

• The national picture – changing patterns of County Line activity across the UK
• Latest methods used to groom, recruit and exploit young people including the rise of social media and online gaming
• Best practice examples of multi-agency working across a range of partners, including health, education, local councils, the police and the voluntary sector
• How to identify children most at risk of exploitation – insights on how younger children and girls are increasingly being targeted
• The currency of debt bondage explained
• Preventing and reducing school exclusions – tackling adultification bias, supporting transitions and working with parents and carers
• Strategies and projects to prevent criminal exploitation of looked after children, vulnerable adults and preventing cuckooing

• Lots of food for thought – it has sparked some creativity and consolidation in my thinking as to our current journey with regards to County Lines work.
  Helen Burton, Leeds City Council
• First Class.  We all know this is a huge challenge and are faced with difficulties every day. However, I came away today feeling optimistic that we can change things.
  Fiona Bradford, Action for Children
• Really useful, up to date info on what we can do to improve the situation for vulnerable young people and help tackle County Lines.
  Sarah Holloway, Calthorpe Park School
• Great mix of academic and expert by experience knowledge, as well as the wonderful community services that are taking place.
  Niamh O’Brien, Anglia Ruskin University
• Insightful – exactly what I was looking for. I can pass on my enhanced knowledge to the wider team.
  James Barnett, University of West of England
• Extremely useful, eye opening, motivating and energising to hear from guest speakers with lived experience.
  Chelsea Jarman, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

• Content accessible on demand for 14 days after the event
• Online networking – meet your colleagues from across the country
• Virtual polls
• Live Q&A
• Technical support throughout the event

• Contribute 4.5 hours towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Receive a certificate of attendance.

* Discounts available 

• Please email us for group bookings – info@westminsterinsight.com
• Pay online by credit card and receive 10% off (This will be automatically applied when you book online). 

Westminster Insight
t: 0345 647 9000
e: info@westminsterinsight.com