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UK to criminalize gangs forcing children to swallow drugs with leaders facing up to 10-year jail terms

The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill introduces a new offence for coerced internal concealment backed by £42 million to support county lines victims.

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Overview

  • The bill amendment makes forcing children and vulnerable adults to ingest or conceal drugs or other items a standalone criminal offence.
  • Those convicted under the new law could face sentences of up to ten years in prison.
  • Home Office figures show more than 2,100 safeguarding referrals for exploited minors and vulnerable people since July 2024.
  • A £42 million government fund accompanies enforcement efforts that have charged over 800 violent offenders and shuttered around 1,200 county lines networks.
  • Charities warn that ‘plugging’ has endangered victims as young as seven and inflicts severe long-term physical and psychological harm.