using social media. Children can easily become trapped by this type of exploitation as county lines gangs can manufacture drug debts which need to be worked off or threaten serious violence and kidnap towards victims (and their families) if they attempt to leave the county lines network. 152 A number of the indicators for CCE and CSE as detailed above may be applicable to where children are involved in county lines. Some additional specific indicators that may be present where a child is criminally exploited through involvement in county lines are children who: • go missing (from school or home) and are subsequently found in areas away from their home • have been the victim, perpetrator or alleged perpetrator of serious violence (e.g. knife crime) • are involved in receiving requests for drugs via a phone line, moving drugs, handing over and collecting money for drugs • are exposed to techniques such as ‘plugging’, where drugs are concealed internally to avoid detection • are found in accommodation that they have no connection with, often called a ‘trap house or cuckooing’ or hotel room where there is drug activity • owe a ‘debt bond’ to their exploiters • have their bank accounts used to facilitate drug dealing. Further information on the signs of a child’s involvement in county lines is available in guidance published by the Home Office and The Children's Society County Lines Toolkit For Professionals. Children and the court system Children are sometimes required to give evidence in criminal courts, either for crimes committed against them or for crimes they have witnessed. There are two age appropriate guides to support children 5-11-year olds and 12-17 year olds. The guides explain each step of the process, support and special measures that are available. There are 