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.