The Commission for Young Lives is calling for urgent action and investment to tackle the ‘national threat to our country’s wellbeing and security’ – and says systems supposed to keep young people safe are not fit for purpose . President Anne Longfield told Sky News: “It has happened in the past with 11, 12, 13-year-olds running around and delivering the drugs. Now that’s down to 9, 10, 11. “But you also have young teenagers — 13, 14 — who are actually heading across county lines, moving drugs across the country, running a business in a very unscrupulous way.” Image: Leah Heyes died when she was 15 Two mothers from North Yorkshire, whose children have been affected by the problem, spoke to Sky News. Leah Heyes, 15, died after overdosing on MDMA she bought from another teenager, who was being taken advantage of and sometimes beaten by drug gangs. Her mother, Kerry Roberts, says she accepts the boy who sold the drugs “was groomed” and was a victim himself, but is campaigning for “Leah’s Law” which would bring tougher sentences for people selling drugs to people under of 16 years. Mrs Roberts had no idea her daughter would take drugs, but now she realizes it’s a huge problem. He said: “It’s available like ordering a pizza. It’s so easy to get. And our kids now think it’s normal to have Class A drugs.” Image: Leah with her mother Kerry The boy who supplied the drugs, through another teenager, was 17 but had been involved in the trade since the age of 14 and had been dealing in Manchester and Scarborough among others. He attended the same student referral unit as Leah. Sky News also spoke to his mother, Tammy Kirkwood, who claimed police, social workers and doctors who treated injuries caused by gang members failed to provide the support needed to get him out. He said: “Three days before Leah died the police were at my house. I was asking for help. “And if something had happened in those three days, or when she was 14, she wouldn’t have gone to jail and Leah would be here.” Ms Longfield agreed, adding: “One of the things we were told time and time again was that when a parent found the horrific ‘burn phone’ in a child’s bedroom, or a knife or some cash, they would call social services or they would call the police, but no one could help them.” Read more: £4.3m worth of drugs seized and 230 arrested in gang crackdown, mules and stabbings – the story behind county lines Image: Leah as a child The Commission for Young Lives is calling for a new Sure Start Plus scheme for teenagers to be launched, which will be co-funded by the millions of pounds recovered from the proceeds of crime each year – providing health support and education to families. This will be supported by “a new army of youth professionals” to identify struggling young people, build positive relationships and guide young people away from harm and towards success. The report also called on the government to hold regular COBRA meetings to address serious violence. He proposed transforming the Department of Education into a Department for Children, Schools and Families with additional powers to protect vulnerable children and tackle serious violence and exploitation. The Commission has also proposed a one-off £1bn mental health rehabilitation scheme for children and young people, co-funded by a levy on social media companies and mobile operators.

title: " Groomed Injured Even Killed Children As Young As Nine Sucked Into Drug Trade And Violence Uk News " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-04” author: “Stella Payne”

The Commission for Young Lives is calling for urgent action and investment to tackle the ‘national threat to our country’s wellbeing and security’ – and says systems supposed to keep young people safe are not fit for purpose . President Anne Longfield told Sky News: “It has happened in the past with 11, 12, 13-year-olds running around and delivering the drugs. Now that’s down to 9, 10, 11. “But you also have young teenagers — 13, 14 — who are actually heading across county lines, moving drugs across the country, running a business in a very unscrupulous way.” Image: Leah Heyes died when she was 15 Two mothers from North Yorkshire, whose children have been affected by the problem, spoke to Sky News. Leah Heyes, 15, died after overdosing on MDMA she bought from another teenager, who was being taken advantage of and sometimes beaten by drug gangs. Her mother, Kerry Roberts, says she accepts the boy who sold the drugs “was groomed” and was a victim himself, but is campaigning for “Leah’s Law” which would bring tougher sentences for people selling drugs to people under of 16 years. Mrs Roberts had no idea her daughter would take drugs, but now she realizes it’s a huge problem. He said: “It’s available like ordering a pizza. It’s so easy to get. And our kids now think it’s normal to have Class A drugs.” Image: Leah with her mother Kerry The boy who supplied the drugs, through another teenager, was 17 but had been involved in the trade since the age of 14 and had been dealing in Manchester and Scarborough among others. He attended the same student referral unit as Leah. Sky News also spoke to his mother, Tammy Kirkwood, who claimed police, social workers and doctors who treated injuries caused by gang members failed to provide the support needed to get him out. He said: “Three days before Leah died the police were at my house. I was asking for help. “And if something had happened in those three days, or when she was 14, she wouldn’t have gone to jail and Leah would be here.” Ms Longfield agreed, adding: “One of the things we were told time and time again was that when a parent found the horrific ‘burn phone’ in a child’s bedroom, or a knife or some cash, they would call social services or they would call the police, but no one could help them.” Read more: £4.3m worth of drugs seized and 230 arrested in gang crackdown, mules and stabbings – the story behind county lines Image: Leah as a child The Commission for Young Lives is calling for a new Sure Start Plus scheme for teenagers to be launched, which will be co-funded by the millions of pounds recovered from the proceeds of crime each year – providing health support and education to families. This will be supported by “a new army of youth professionals” to identify struggling young people, build positive relationships and guide young people away from harm and towards success. The report also called on the government to hold regular COBRA meetings to address serious violence. He proposed transforming the Department of Education into a Department for Children, Schools and Families with additional powers to protect vulnerable children and tackle serious violence and exploitation. The Commission has also proposed a one-off £1bn mental health rehabilitation scheme for children and young people, co-funded by a levy on social media companies and mobile operators.