Overview

This bill creates a new criminal offence of child criminal exploitation in England and Wales. It aims to strengthen legal protections for children by specifically targeting those who recruit or use children to commit crimes, regardless of whether the child actually commits the crime or is prosecuted.

Description

The bill defines child criminal exploitation as recruiting or attempting to recruit, or using another person to recruit or attempt to recruit, a child for the purpose of the child's involvement in committing one or more offences. Crucially, it is not a defence that the recruiter did not know the person was a child. The bill applies whether or not the child is actually involved in committing a crime or is prosecuted.

Penalties

Penalties vary depending on the anticipated offence(s) the child was to be involved in. If murder is one of the anticipated offences, the penalty is life imprisonment. Otherwise, the penalty mirrors that of the most serious anticipated offence (or a fine if no anticipated offence carries a prison sentence).

Interpretation

The bill defines "child" as someone under 18 years of age and "recruit" to include direct inducement, incitement, coercion, or compulsion.

Extent and Commencement

The Act applies to England and Wales and will come into force three months after it receives Royal Assent.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost will likely be associated with law enforcement, prosecution, and potential additional support services for victims. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Children: The bill aims to protect children from exploitation by creating a specific offense targeting those who recruit them for criminal activity.
• Law enforcement agencies: The bill will give police and other agencies a new tool to prosecute those involved in child criminal exploitation.
• Prospective offenders: Individuals who recruit or attempt to recruit children for criminal activity will face prosecution under this new law.
• The Courts: The courts will be responsible for hearing cases brought under this new legislation.

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