Child Criminal Exploitation Bill

Key Points

• - Introduces a new offence of child criminal exploitation, targeting adults who exploit or use children to commit crimes.
• - Covers situations where children are groomed, coerced or manipulated to participate in criminal activity, or where others profit from exploitation.
• - Seeks to strengthen safeguarding by aligning with existing child protection and criminal laws to aid police, prosecutors and social services.
• - Aims to provide clearer definitions and tougher responses to deter exploitation and support victims.
• - The bill is an originates in the Commons and is being debated at the second reading in the House of Commons, sponsored by Sir Christopher Chope.

Progress

The bill is at its second reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it will move to committee stage for detailed scrutiny and potential amendments, before returning to the Lords.