Cost of living crisis raises parents’ fears of child exploitation

Parents have raised concerns about the risk of child exploitation as a result of the cost of living crisis.

A safeguarding event in Bristol heard children felt they were under pressure to keep up with the latest technology

Those who did not were at risk of being lured into crime to attain those items.

A father from the Somali community said it was a “constant worry” how he could save a child from a life of crime when he was financially unable to afford the things they wanted.

Abdi Hassan Hajin, who has seven children, told the event at Wellspring Settlement that drugs was not an issue when he came to the UK almost 20 years ago.

He said: “We are trying to get an idea of how we can all work together to tackle this challenge we are facing now and to make Barton and Bristol a safer place to live in.

“As a father, it’s a constant worry.

“How can I save a child, who is financially unable to do what he wants to, not be dragged into things where someone offers them something without their understanding.”