Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police launch VR experience to tackle child criminal exploitation

Everton in the Community and Merseyside Police are using Virtual Reality (VR) technology to help educate young people about the real-world threat of child criminal exploitation (CCE).

The immersive 360-degree experience places young people at the centre of a realistic scenario, helping them to recognise the signs of exploitation, understand the risks involved and make informed decisions that lead towards positive pathways.

Child criminal exploitation occurs when someone uses a child under the age of 18 to commit crimes on their behalf. Victims often do not recognise that they are being exploited, particularly when criminals use promises of money, gifts, status or a sense of belonging to groom them into criminal activity.

CCE is a significant driver of youth crime and serious violence, with children often exploited to transport drugs, money and weapons on behalf of older criminals.

Many victims are also reluctant or afraid to seek help because they fear being arrested or blamed for crimes they have been coerced into committing, making early intervention, awareness and education particularly important.

Created in collaboration with Merseyside Police, the new VR film responds to the ongoing threat of child criminal exploitation across the Liverpool City Region and wider UK, including County Lines activity.

The project builds on Everton in the Community’s first VR film, which highlighted the devastating consequences of carrying a knife and was viewed by thousands of pupils across the local area.

Everton in the Community’s 20-year partnership with Merseyside Police continues to play an important role in preventing crime, supporting vulnerable young people and creating safer communities.

Supporting Merseyside Police’s EVOLVE: Clear, Hold, Build strategy, the partnership has contributed to positive outcomes across the region, including a 33% reduction in crime in Netherton, a 12.5% reduction in knife crime across Knowsley and an increase of more than 400% in community intelligence, demonstrating stronger levels of trust and engagement.

Targeted referrals have also enabled Everton in the Community to engage directly with young people identified as being at risk of crime and exploitation, contributing to reduced offending and more positive outcomes.

The new VR experience builds on this preventative work by using immersive technology to help young people better understand how exploitation can begin and how to recognise the warning signs.

The film was shaped by Everton in the Community participants and features actors from the charity’s programmes alongside Evertonian and actor Philip Shaun McGuinness, known for his roles in G’Wed and The Responder.

Philip said:

“I play not a very nice character trying to recruit young people into my gang.

“I’m a massive Everton fan so being in any Everton in the Community project was massive for me but then when I read the script, I realised how important it was to try to deter young people from what might seem like a great opportunity initially.”

Specially filmed for virtual reality headsets, the short movie takes viewers into a real-life scenario and requires them to use critical thinking.

Philip explained:

“As you go through the VR project, you realise there’s actually really dark undertones and consequences to these seemingly simple actions.”

The scenario demonstrates how children can be groomed into criminal activity through promises of easy money, gifts and a sense of belonging, while also highlighting warning signs including withdrawing from family and friends, spending time with new peer groups and suddenly having unexplained money or expensive possessions.

Created and produced by Ludovico and Juice Immersive, the initiative was funded by Merseyside Police and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, through the Hotspot Response Fund.

The government-backed programme is designed to help tackle antisocial behaviour and serious violence in identified hotspot areas, supporting preventative initiatives that protect young people and strengthen communities.

Everton in the Community Youth Inclusion Manager, Jen Harden, said:

“Child criminal exploitation can affect any young person, and it can be difficult for a child to recognise it is happening to them.

“Everton in the Community has a long track record of supporting young people across the Liverpool City Region, giving us a unique understanding of how to deliver these vital messages in a way that resonates.

“This VR project with Merseyside Police is another example of that, using innovative technology to bring the dangers of child criminal exploitation to life in a safe, engaging and impactful way.

“We’re incredibly proud to have developed this resource in partnership with Merseyside Police and to continue working together to tackle issues affecting young people across our region, helping them recognise the warning signs of exploitation and make safer, more informed choices.”

To find out more about Everton in the Community, click here. If you’d like to help continue making a difference, you can donate here.