OVER 470 children in Bradford are somehow involved in organised crime - with many of them having been groomed into taking part in illegal activities.

Child criminal exploitation is a term used to describe how young people are lured into a life of crime, with older criminals getting them involved in drug dealing, theft, and transporting criminal property.

On Wednesday local Councillors will be given a presentation on the scale of the issue in Bradford, and hear that many of the district’s organised crime groups exploit children in this way.

Although the committee has received updates on child sexual exploitation in the district for several years, this is the first time they have looked at how local children are being coerced into criminal lifestyles.

Police believe that in the 51 identified organised crime gangs in Bradford, there are 471 children who are connected either through committing criminal acts on behalf of the gangs, or being closely related to active gang members.

Children’s charity the NSPCC says although the children are committing crimes, it should be recognised they are being exploited, and offered support to escape the lifestyle.

A partnership between Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police and local children’s groups is currently looking at the impact of criminal grooming on children, and is working to help children who have been sucked into the criminal world.

The report says child criminal exploitation: “occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual.

“Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.”

CCE is often found in “county lines” criminal operations - where suppliers use young people to transport and sell drugs in other parts of the country. It is named after the phone lines used to instruct members - as there is often little face to face contact between bosses and their subordinates.

County lines has been linked to violence, gangs, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern slavery, and missing persons as well as drug dealing. Two of the organised crime gangs in Bradford have been linked to county lines.

The report adds: “We are currently exploring the theme of criminal exploitation and organised crime and the impact upon children.

“Safeguarding partnerships are now considering the emergence of organised crime, county lines, modern day slavery and criminal exploitation as new threats in a similar way to the same conversations in the last decade around child sexual exploitation. The partnership recognise that whilst there is an excellent understanding of CSE in Bradford there is also a need to do more work around the scale and prevalence of the wider criminal exploitation of children.”

Councillor Adrian Farley, portfolio holder for children and families, said: “Organised criminals who exploit children and use them to carry out serious crime is a national issue. It should have no place in our society and in Bradford District we’re determined to tackle it. We have worked with our partners to secure £1million of funding to help us work on a number of areas where young people are vulnerable to criminal grooming. We’re working with our partners in the police and the voluntary sector so we can work directly with young people in communities to take on this issue.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Young people involved in ‘county lines’ are often coerced into taking huge risks moving drugs and weapons for the benefit of others, and can face serious punishments and repercussions if caught.

“We must be clear that young people who are criminally exploited are victims of child trafficking, and need access to appropriate support to ensure their safety.

“Anyone worried about a child’s welfare can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

“We know that children in this situation are often too scared to seek the help they need. Childline is there for them 24/7 for support and advice.”

The committee meets in City Hall at 4.30pm.

Bradford Council was recently awarded £1 million by the government to fund a new project to help prevent children from being lured into a life of crime.

The Home Office funding will be used to run a four year project aimed at children aged between 10 and 14, teaching them how to recognise "positive relationships" and avoid falling into situations where they are more likely to be abused.

It boosted the Bradford safeguarding hub's annual £2.5 million budget, and the money will mean an extra 10 per cent a year can be spent on child safeguarding in Bradford over the four-year period.

It is part of the Government’s Trusted Relationship Fund, a project to encourage children to open up about their experiences, teach them to recognise positive relationships and how to keep safe, as well as help them to build positive plans for their future.

The report to the scrutiny committee says: "Too many children and young people in Bradford are at risk of exploitation in different ways including through CSE; missing; criminal involvement in organised crime and gangs, trafficking and radicalisation.

"This funding will enable additional support to reduce exploitation of young people.

"They will be supported to access local activities and services, building their resilience and ensuring a robust exit plan from exploitative situations."

The one to one support will be delivered by Young Lives Bradford Consortium, and delivery will be by a range of local groups including Airedale Voluntary Drug and Alcohol Agency, Barnardos, City of Bradford YMCA, E:merge and J.A.M.E.S.

The group work in Bradford East will be delivered by Barnardos and City of Bradford YMCA.