Co-production in Addressing Criminal Exploitation

• In Event: Eurogang WG Session

Abstract

The paper utilises data from three sites to examine the actions and responses to criminal exploitation and modern slavery. The research was sponsored through a British Academy Innovation Fellowship, which adopted an “action research” methodology encompassing stakeholder views to co-produce knowledge to make changes in policy and practice.

The project conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 79 participants. 55 participants were practitioners and policymakers from the statutory and voluntary sectors and 24 participants were young people and vulnerable adults who were impacted by modern slavery through county lines drug dealing networks. As part of an “action research” methodology, ongoing co-production activities with stakeholders were facilitated to explore understandings and responses to criminal exploitation, modern slavery and human trafficking. Participative activities included co-facilitation for youth involvement and research advice and training for young people attached to an existing project. Criminal Justice and health personnel also benefitted from reflective practice sessions and Advisory Boards to allow participant reflections to identify gaps in policy and practices. These sessions included CPD training events, “reflective practice” sessions utilising “Hydra” technology, and Advisory Boards for Criminal Justice personnel to identify gaps in policy and practices.

The paper provides an analysis that describes the trajectory of some criminal groups that have evolved from street drug supply towards more embedded and, in some cases, diverse activities, which arguably can be viewed as local organised crime.

Author

• Paul Andell, University of Suffolk