Girls Rock Project Fights Grooming in Melton Mowbray

0:00From Lester, this is your March 12th update. A youth worker in Melton, Mobre, Lester Shire, is raising the alarm about teenage girls being groomed by drug gangs for county lines operations. Kate Chamneys from the Engage Youth and Family Service says these girls get gifts like jewelry and money, then end up running drugs across town. These out-of-town dealers usually target boys, but they pulled in several girls here too, including the town's easy access from cities like Lester and Nottingham. Chamneys has helped teens who've been taken out for meals and even sexually abused as part of the grooming. To fight back, the girls rock music and arts project just received a 10,000-pound grant from Lester Shire's Police and Crime Commissioner, it creates a safe space at the Melton Learning Hub, where girls build confidence through songwriting and poster design, tackling issues like family, violence or peer pressure. All leaders say the program has boosted school attendance and opened new doors for participants.

1:00A 14-year-old involved noted how it lifts self-esteem and helps ignore negativity. Meanwhile, Lester Shire Police has a dedicated child exploitation team working with partners to protect kids everywhere from cities to rural spots. They've also launched the RU Listening Campaign to help parents and teachers spot grooming signs early. Support for this episode comes from our sponsor, see the description, head in, sound on, lights out. That is the routine, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com.