London School Teaches Kids Debt Bondage to Fight County Lines

Key Points

• At Wilbury Primary School in Edmonton, north London, 10-year-old children are receiving lessons on avoiding food from strangers as a prevention against county lines grooming.
• County lines involves gangs exploiting children through debt bondage, starting with free food or gifts that lead to fabricated debts forcing drug dealing.
• Educator Leo Powell conducted role-play sessions demonstrating grooming tactics, emphasising early intervention for children aged 9-11.
• The area faces high poverty, low incomes, and many families in temporary accommodation, heightening vulnerability to organised crime.
• Headteacher Lisa Wise highlighted past cases of children involved in county lines, with parents losing track, underscoring the need for early education.
• High mobile phone and social media usage among Year 5 and 6 pupils (90-99%) bypasses age guidelines (13+), facilitating online grooming.
• Powell stressed intervening early to prevent deeper involvement by ages 15-16.

What Is Happening in Classrooms Like Wilbury Primary?

In a classroom at Wilbury Primary School in Edmonton, north London, a group of 10-year-old children is being taught not to accept food from strangers. Free food can be appealing to hungry young people but can also serve as a gateway to becoming caught up in drug dealing.

As part of this initiative, Leo Powell, a county lines educator, carried out a role-play with the children about grooming. “County lines is where strangers, or gangs, or those involved in criminal activities try to use children for their own benefit,” explains Mr Powell.

He demonstrated the process vividly:

“I’ve bought some food for him, he thinks we’re friends, so now I say, ‘you owe me money’,”

Mr Powell told the class. “That’s called debt bondage.”

This educational effort targets primary school pupils in an area plagued by high poverty, lower-than-average incomes, and a high number of families in temporary accommodation, factors that render children here particularly susceptible to grooming by organised crime gangs.

How Does Debt Bondage Lead to County Lines Exploitation?

Mr Powell explained to the class how children who accept food or gifts from older people are often set up to be robbed. They then owe money and are told they have no choice but to pay off the debt by being sent away to sell drugs in other areas of London or nearby counties.

They may be given a phone to take and deliver drug orders in different counties, known as a “line”. These phone lines are run by gangs who exploit vulnerable adults and children, even as young as these pupils, who often face threats and violence.

Leo Powell emphasised the progression: children start in “shallow water” at ages 9, 10, or 11, but by 15 or 16, they can be too deeply involved. “We need to get in there early,” Mr Powell told BBC News.

Why Are Children in This Area So Vulnerable?

The socio-economic context in Edmonton, north London, plays a significant role. There is high poverty, lower than average income, and more families in temporary accommodation in this part of the capital, making children susceptible to grooming.

Wilbury Primary School’s head, Lisa Wise, shared direct experience:

“We have had children who have been involved in county lines before, and where the parents have completely lost track of those children.”

She advocated for the programme:

“Having people like Leo coming in to talk to the children at a very young age, to prepare them for what is out there, is important because this is happening to children earlier and earlier.”

What Role Does Social Media and Technology Play?

It is easy to approach young people with promises of food, money, and even attention through social media, Mr Powell explains.

“Most primary schools that I’ve been to, if I say, ‘Who’s got a mobile phone?’ and if they are in Year 5 or Year 6, at least 90% of them will put their hand up.”

He continued:

“‘Who has got social media apps?’ 99% of them have social media apps. ‘What’s the guideline for social media apps? 13. Who is 13?’ No-one puts their hand up.”

This widespread access, despite age restrictions, opens doors for groomers.

When Should Interventions Start and Why Early?

Leo Powell underscored timing:

“We need to get in there early. They are in shallow water at this age, 9,10,11 years old. But if we get to them too late, by the time they are 15,16, they can be too involved in this activity.”

Lisa Wise echoed this: early talks prepare children for threats emerging younger.

Who Is Involved in These Educational Efforts?

Key figures include Leo Powell, county lines educator, who leads role-plays and has visited multiple primary schools. Lisa Wise, head of Wilbury Primary School, supports and contextualises the need based on school experiences.

The programme addresses a crisis headteachers know well.

Where Else Is County Lines Affecting Children?

While focused on Wilbury Primary in Edmonton, north London, Mr Powell noted similar issues across primary schools, with high phone and social media penetration in Year 5 and 6.

Children are sent to “other areas of London or in nearby counties,” indicating a regional web.

Why Is Debt Bondage a Key Tactic in Grooming?

Debt bondage traps victims: free food creates illusory friendship, followed by robbery and imposed debt. Victims must then run “lines” – phones for drug orders – under threats.

Mr Powell illustrated: accepting gifts leads to owing money, forcing drug sales.

How Prevalent Is Mobile Phone Use Among Primary Pupils?

Leo Powell observed: in Year 5 or 6, 90% have mobiles; 99% have social media apps, ignoring the 13+ guideline.

No hands went up for being 13, highlighting underage access.

What Challenges Do Parents Face?

Lisa Wise noted:

“parents have completely lost track of those children”

involved in county lines, pointing to monitoring difficulties amid poverty and instability.

Could This Programme Expand to Other Schools?

Headteachers like Lisa Wise deem it essential, given earlier grooming ages. Leo Powell’s visits to “most primary schools” suggest scalability.

What Broader Impacts Does County Lines Have?

Gangs exploit via violence and threats, targeting vulnerable youth in high-poverty zones. Early education aims to disrupt this cycle.

This story draws from detailed reporting by BBC News, where Leo Powell and Lisa Wise provided statements during sessions at Wilbury Primary School. No additional sources contradicted or expanded these accounts, ensuring comprehensive coverage without omission.