According to police, teenagers are being recruited to peddle vapes in vape stores, which can result in their being pushed into distributing illegal narcotics.
Authorities in Rochdale are concerned that “vape stores’ are being exploited as a ‘gateway to child exploitation.” According to Greater Manchester Police, teenagers are being persuaded to sell e-cigarettes, which can result in their being forced to sell dangerous narcotics.
As a component of Operation Vigilant, the Sunrise Complex Safeguarding Team, Rochdale’s multi-agency response to child exploitation, went out on the streets last Thursday. The operation’s objective is to locate locations and visit businesses in Rochdale based on information provided by concerned citizens who have filed complaints.
Last Thursday, the team, comprised of police, medical and children’s services, and advertising standards, went on patrol around the borough, visiting and talking with teenagers in popular places. According to police, young adults are being blackmailed into selling electrical devices.
Their findings also lead them to suspect that young adults are being pushed to congregate at specific locations where they are given food, marijuana, and drink. The Complex Safeguarding Team’s mission is to track down persons who are intending to exploit minors for criminal or sexual objectives.
“Operation Vigilant is a terrific project and a wonderful opportunity for us to get out on the streets and interact with parents and children,” said DI Stuart Round of Rochdale police and the police lead of the Sunrise Complex Safeguarding Team after the operation. Vape stores are of particular concern right now since they serve as a doorway to child abuse.
“Children are being pressured to sell vapes, which can lead to them being forced to sell illegal substances.” Information also reveals that minors are being pushed to hang out at specific locations and are being offered food, weed, and liquor.
“This cannot continue.” Every month, intensified, high-visibility patrols on the streets of Rochdale visit locations and places of concern to aggressively disrupt operations while also engaging young people about abuse. “We want to create relationships with them and ensure they are aware of where they may get help.”
After the night of operation, trading standards recovered £3,000 in illicit vapes, £1,200 in nitrous oxide containers, and £600 in counterfeit Viagra tablets.
