Police issue warning about children getting involved with Doncaster crime gangs

A warning has been issued about children getting embroiled with gangs and organised crime in Doncaster.
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Detective Inspector Steve Smith, who heads up Doncaster’s Operation Fortify team, which was set up to tackle organised crime, said adult members of organised criminal groups are increasingly targeting young, vulnerable people to get involved.

“I know that many of our residents in Doncaster will be concerned about the presence of OCGs in our town, particularly one group operating in the Mexborough area, who we believe have been responsible for some serious incidents of violence, disorder and associated crime in and around the community,” said DI Smith.

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“While OCGs are far from being a Doncaster-specific issue, they are a blight on communities across the country, we want to directly appeal to those adults living in Doncaster who have responsibility for a young person.

A warning has been issued about the dangers of children becoming embroiled with gangs and organised crime in DoncasterA warning has been issued about the dangers of children becoming embroiled with gangs and organised crime in Doncaster
A warning has been issued about the dangers of children becoming embroiled with gangs and organised crime in Doncaster

“Nationally, gangs are using coercion, threats of violence or physical harm to force youngsters to carry out illegal activities on their behalf. You may have heard this referred to as county lines, or child criminal exploitation.”

‘County Lines’ is used to refer to a specific model of drug dealing, where OCGs use children or vulnerable adults to carry out illegal activity on their behalf, often resorting to exploitative tactics to ensure compliance.

DI Smith added: “It’s really important to remember that while the actions of young people involved in criminality may seem consensual, there is often something sinister going on behind the scenes. They may be being threatened or harmed, or the threats may be directed towards their families and loved ones.

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“We are aware that growing numbers of young people are the ones involved in the so-called street dealing in Doncaster. They are engaging in drug-related crime at incredibly high risk, at the bidding of older members of criminal groups.

“These young people may feel like they’re in control, but in reality they’re not. Adults who know the risks involved continue to put young lives in jeopardy to further their criminal enterprises, and we must break this cycle.

“Let’s be very clear: OCGs engage in child abuse, that’s what child criminal exploitation is. It is abuse of our young people and as a community, we must work together to protect our most vulnerable from this risk.”