Parents and carers across Bedfordshire are invited to join us for a free, informative event to help families spot the signs of child criminal exploitation, county lines activity and knife crime.

Not My Child: A parent’s guide to exploitation, knife crime and county lines returns to Luton next month, taking place on Wednesday 15 April, from 6pm to 9.15pm, at Lealands High School.

Book your place via Eventbrite Not My Child: A parent's guide to exploitation, knife crime & county lines Tickets, Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026 from 5:45 pm to 9:15 pm | Eventbrite 

Children and young people can be targeted by criminal gangs in ways that are subtle and not always easy to recognise. Not My Child aims to give parents and carers practical, realistic advice on what to look out for, how exploitation can begin, and where to turn for support if you’re ever worried about a child in your life.

You will hear from frontline experts and people with lived experience, including:
• Ivison Trust - a national charity supporting families of children who have been exploited
• Everyone’s Gang - a local youth organisation working to prevent young people becoming involved in crime
• A policing expert who specialises in knife crime and the influence of social media on gang activity

There will also be a market stall area where you can speak directly with support services and charities, pick up resources, and find out more about the help available locally and nationally.

Exploitation can happen to anyone, and the more alert we are as communities, the best chance we have of identifying concerns early and helping to keep young people safe.

To find out about the work we are doing to tackle exploitation and county lines, visit our Lost Boys campaign page on our website Lost Boys | Bedfordshire Police